East County saw a grim stretch of criminal activity in the week ending March 21, with a fatal shooting in Jamul headlining a roundup that also includes multiple stabbings, robbery arrests, and a long-running sex crimes case reaching a guilty plea.
A man was shot early Wednesday in the 16000 block of Loose Creek Road in Jamul. Deputies responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon but found no victims at the scene. Shortly after, Alpine Fire Protection District reported a shooting victim had arrived at its station seeking help. Emergency personnel attempted lifesaving measures, but the man died. His identity was withheld pending family notification. Deputies detained a man in Jamul for questioning, and sheriff's homicide detectives are investigating. Officials described the incident as isolated with no known threat to the public.
In a separate case, two men and a juvenile were arrested Thursday in connection with a robbery at the Massachusetts Avenue Transit Center in Lemon Grove. The October 2025 robbery involved suspects brandishing knives and demanding a victim's backpack, phone, and wallet. Detectives identified the trio using Metropolitan Transit System surveillance footage. Sedrick Lipscomb, 24, was booked on suspicion of robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and child endangerment after a handgun with a loaded magazine was found within reach of children at his La Mesa home. Demetrius Lipscomb, 27, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A juvenile was placed into Juvenile Hall.
In a sex crimes case with deep East County roots, David Hott, 39, a former employee of Christian Youth Theater, pleaded guilty to a sex crime involving a teen. Hott is one of several former CYT employees to face criminal or civil proceedings involving sexual abuse allegations. A 25-year-old man convicted in an El Cajon killing was also sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole this week. Davarold Jucynn Zeno was found guilty by an El Cajon jury of first-degree murder.
Anyone with information about the Jamul shooting is urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or submit anonymous tips to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.