SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A man was fatally shot and another man was injured after gunfire erupted in a City Heights alley Saturday night.
Angel Sanabria, 26, and a 29-year-old man were shot at approximately 6:49 p.m. in the east alley of 3200 44th Street, according to police.
Sanabria showed up at UCSD Medical Center at around 7 p.m. with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving measures, Sanabria was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Shortly after, the other gunshot victim arrived at a different hospital with a single gunshot wound. He is expected to survive.
San Diego police homicide detectives determined that Sanabria and the other victim were in the alley on 44th Street when they were approached by two unknown Hispanic males. Both gunmen opened fire on the victims, and then ran northbound in the alley.
Police have not provided a description of the gunmen.
Family overwhelmed with grief
The day after Angel Sanabria's death, loved ones placed flowers and candles around a big pool of blood.
The victim's cousin, Johnny Coronado, was one of dozens who showed up could not stop crying.
"I still can't let go," Coronado said through sobs. "I refuse to let him go."
Sanabria was not just Coronado's cousin; they were best friends. They were always laughing and talking about when and where they would eat.
Coronado said they played handball on Saturday and then grabbed hot dogs at 7-Eleven.
"I had to take my girl to work, and we were here just killing time," he added.
Coronado said they were with three other friends when two men shattered their world without saying a word.
Coronado said he ran and Sanabria was behind him. He said someone opened fire and struck Sanabria with several bullets. He said he saw his best friend grab his blood-soaked shirt and try to talk, but he could only moan.
"I picked him up," Coronado explained. "I said, 'Help me put him in the car! Help me put him in the car!'"
He said he sped off to the hospital.
"I just told my friend, 'Don't let him go, talk to him, don't let him go,'" he added.
Despite life-saving efforts at the hospital, their Angel left too soon.
He cannot help hold his mom and grandma up, who looked like they were going to collapse, he cannot enjoy the meal Coronado promised to cook for his baby shower in June, and he cannot meet his unborn son.
"[He was] so excited," Coronado said. "It was a joy. He was happy to be a dad."
Coronado will tell Angel Junior stories about the friend he was and the dad he would have been.
The family created a GoFundMe account for help with medical and funeral expenses. You can find it here: https://www.gofundme.com/angel-sanabria-lils
