San Diego Marathon Gets Shot‑ed Up! (Not Literally)
Picture this: a bustling city marathon, thousands of runners lacing up, and suddenly — whoosh — a gunshot echoes through a parking garage. That’s exactly what happened in downtown San Diego on June 3, 2018.
The Incident
- Time: 10:51 am (local), 1:51 am Singapore time.
- Location: An upper‑floor parking structure near City Hall.
- Actions: A woman allegedly pressed a gun to her head, fired several shots, and was promptly taken into custody.
- Police context: Officers were called on the scene while the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon was winding down.
Police Response
- The lead officer fired two rounds at the suspect but missed.
- An officer experienced an accidental discharge, shooting himself in the leg. Lucky for him, he’s expected to fully recover after treatment at a hospital.
- Chase: The suspect was apprehended quickly, and the area was declared safe shortly after.
“It Was No Longer a Threat”
The San Diego Police Department tweeted: “There’s no longer a threat to the community. The scene is secure. The Rock and Roll Marathon has resumed.”
Marathon Chaos & Recovery
- Race briefly halted; runners were rerouted to a designated safe zone.
- By 11:56 am, officials cleared the course, and participants proceeded to finish lines and post‑race gathering spots.
- Street closures were announced, but normal traffic resumed after the incident.
Marathon Organizers’ Reassurance
Organizers stated that the active shooter’s confrontation with law enforcement was unrelated to the race itself. They emphasized that by the time the race paused, around 4,900 athletes had already moved into the safe zone.
Community & Cultural Impact
- San Diego’s population: 1.4 million.
- Historical echo: The event resurfaced memories of the 2013 Boston Marathon attacks.
- Local sports: The San Diego Padres confirmed a close relationship with police and secured the city’s safety for ongoing events.
Closing Thoughts
While the incident rattled the event and brought a chilling reminder of security threats, the quick police response and community cooperation allowed the marathon to finish with runners triumphant, smiling, and a little more wary of parking garages.
