Gun fails to fire as four allegedly attack teen at California mall

A 17-year-old boy narrowly escaped injury Wednesday afternoon when one of four assailants pointed a gun at his head and appeared to pull the trigger — and it jammed, El Cajon police said.

The incident occurred inside a novelty and T-shirt store at Parkway Plaza around 3 p.m.

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Four people approached the teen inside Spencer’s and hit him before one of the suspects pulled out a gun, said police Lt. Will Guerin. The firearm did not discharge, and the four ran off.

Someone called 911 and reported that a suspect was brandishing a firearm inside the store.

After detectives reviewed surveillance footage, they identified four people they believed were connected with the case: two adults in their 20s, a 19-year-old and a 16-year-old, who they believe pulled the trigger.

When officers went to contact the suspects, three ran into an apartment complex near Broadway and Ballantyne Street, and the fourth ran into a nearby business, police said. They were arrested around 4:15 p.m.

Police said they arrested the juvenile as he left an apartment, and when they searched the home, they found two handguns, one of which matched the description of the weapon used in the assault.

Guerin said the gun was found jammed with a chambered round, and police said it showed evidence indicating it had failed to discharge.

The boy was booked into juvenile hall on suspicion of attempted murder, conspiracy and firearm offenses. Police said he was on probation for prior firearm offenses.

The three men were booked into county jail on suspicion of attempted murder and conspiracy. Two of the men are on probation for previous firearm-related offenses, police said.

The motive for the attack is unknown, but it was not thought to be robbery, Guerin said.

“They struck him, pulled a gun out and tried to shoot him in the head,” Guerin said. “And luckily it did not go off.”

Guerin said the gun didn’t work because it was not loaded properly.

Police ask anyone with information about the case to contact the El Cajon Police Department at 619-579-3311 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 888-580-8477 or sdcrimestoppers.org.