Family members say an 18-year-old shot outside of his home in Mira Mesa on Wednesday was hard-working college student who cut hair on the side.
Brian Mendoza was cutting hair in his garage on Deering Street just before 9:30 when he was shot. Officers found him laying in the street with a gunshot wound and were unable to save him.
A memorial of flowers, cards and candles grew throughout the day Thursday as family and friends, and even neighbors who didn't know Mendoza personally, stopped by to pay their respects. At 7 p.m., nearly 200 loved ones gathered outside the home for a candlelight prayer vigil.
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"It's difficult to talk about," friend Dereice Dawson said. "I'm still at a loss for words."
Friend Dane Mar said Mendoza found time to give back to his cultural community, and the less fortunate.
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"He was cutting hair for homeless people, he was giving back in downtown as much as possible, and he was part of the Stop Asian Hate rallies. He was a good guy," Mar said.
"I brought the flowers because it brings happiness to the family," neighbor Yolanda Arroyo said. "What a loss. Any loss of a life is sad, but especially someone with a bright future doing something for his family."
NextDoor app users said Mendoza spoke at his high school graduation. One of his former middle school teachers said "He was a good boy. never caused trouble."
"The whole neighborhood is praying for your family. have faith in Justice. We will light a candle for you," another neighbor wrote.
Family members say Mendoza was studying sports medicine at Cal State San Marcos while maintaining a big barber client list.
On security footage from a house nearby, what sounds like two gunshots can be heard echoing through the neighborhood at around 9:25 p.m. Wednesday morning.
San Diego Police Department investigators aren't sure what led to the shooting, and they have not put out a suspect description.
Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to contact the SDPD Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
