San Diego Police Investigate Rolando Park Homicide After Burglary Call at El Cajon Boulevard Veterinary Clinic

Incident began as a burglary-in-progress call

San Diego police are investigating a homicide in the Rolando Park neighborhood after officers responding to a reported burglary-in-progress found an elderly man with a serious head injury inside a veterinary clinic, authorities said.

The incident unfolded on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. At 3:29 p.m., the San Diego Police Communications Center received a call reporting a burglary in progress at a veterinary clinic in the 7000 block of El Cajon Boulevard. Officers assigned to the department’s Mid-City Division responded to the location.

Officers found a detained suspect and an injured victim inside the clinic

When officers arrived, they located a man being detained by a member of the public behind the clinic, police said. Officers took custody of that individual and then checked the clinic for victims and signs of a crime.

Inside, officers located an elderly man suffering from a head wound. Police and San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel attempted lifesaving measures and the man was transported to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead at 4:53 p.m., police said.

Homicide detectives called; cause of death pending medical examiner review

San Diego Police Department homicide detectives were called to the scene and took over the investigation. Police described the case as being in an early stage, with detectives still working to determine the circumstances leading to the death.

Investigators indicated the victim appeared to have interrupted a possible burglary at the clinic and a confrontation followed. During that encounter, police said, the victim sustained injuries that included the head wound. The exact cause of death was pending examination by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Arrest made at scene; investigation continues

Police identified the victim as an 88-year-old White man. His name was not released at the time because family notifications were still pending.

The man detained behind the clinic was identified by police as Patrick O’Brien, described as a 37-year-old Black man and San Diego resident. Police said he was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of murder.

• Location: 7000 block of El Cajon Boulevard, Rolando Park

• Timeline: burglary call at 3:29 p.m.; victim pronounced dead at 4:53 p.m. on June 15, 2022

• Status: homicide investigation ongoing; cause of death pending medical examiner findings

Police said the case remained in its early stages, and detectives were still working to establish the sequence of events leading to the victim’s death.

Authorities have continued to seek information from anyone who may have witnessed activity around the clinic or has relevant details about the events leading up to the reported burglary call.