NATIONAL CITY, Calif. (KGTV) – One person was killed during an altercation at a National City strip mall Friday morning, and police said a man considered a “person of interest” in the incident was located and detained for questioning.
Police arrested Christian Mejia at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, authorities say. The 29-year-old was arrested for murder and remains in National City Police custody Friday night.
National City Police Lt. Antonio Ybarra said officers were dispatched to 36. N. Euclid Ave. just after 10 a.m. due to reports of a fight.
Officers arrived to find two people with “several puncture marks” on their bodies, according to Ybarra. One victim died at the scene, while the second victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery and remains in critical, yet stable condition.
Authorities have not released the victim's identities.
Rancho de la Nación and El Toyon elementary schools, both located near where the incident happened, were placed under a “secure campus mode” at around 10:30 a.m. due to the initial police response and investigation.
The schools resumed normal activities about an hour later, National School District officials said.
Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call the National City Police Department's Investigation Division at 619-336-4411.
