SAN DIEGO (TCD) — Law enforcement officials arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of killing a 38-year-old victim at a motel last week.
On Friday, Feb. 9, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department responded to a disconnected call in the 1600 block of South Mission Road. According to KUSI-TV, deputies arrived at the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, where they found Douglas Hardy suffering from stab wounds and pronounced him dead at the scene.
The Medical Examiner’s Office determined the victim died of blunt force trauma, and his death was ruled a homicide.
A witness reportedly described seeing a man with blood-covered clothing fleeing the scene on foot.
Detectives identified Brian Zielinski as the primary suspect in their investigation. Following a foot pursuit, officials arrested Zielinski and booked him into the San Diego Central Jail on a charge of first-degree murder.
The motel residents were evacuated from the premises during the incident. The investigation is ongoing.
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