Suspect hospitalized following Del Mar shooting

DEL MAR, Calif. – One person was shot by a San Diego County Sheriff’s department officer just as the final race was being completed on Sunday night at Del Mar around 6:40 p.m. Pacific time.

In a press release put out by the San Diego County Sheriff’s department at 9:30 p.m., it said “a man came to the ticket window” at the track and “wanted a ticket to this evening’s concert,” which was following the races with Ice Cube.

“He was told no more tickets were available,” the release states. “An argument ensued and nearby deputies responded. The man pulled out a silver plated semi-automatic handgun and fired several shots into a crowded area. Deputies engaged and returned fire.”

The release said “the suspect was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla and his condition is unknown at this time. To our knowledge, no one else was injured.”

Video on Twitter of TVG’s programming at the time had host Todd Schrupp saying “shots fired” as a popping sound could be heard in the background as the horses galloped out following the final race. Video posted on Twitter later showed a person being shot by a San Diego County Sheriff’s officer just outside the Stretch Run admission gate. Four shots can be heard. Another video showed officers trying to resuscitate someone just outside those admission gates. The officer who appeared to fire the shots was wearing a Sheriff’s uniform.

“That was one of the frightening experiences I have ever witnessed,” TVG’s Simon Bray posted to Twitter. “It occurred about 300 yards from us during our live broadcast.” Bray was on air with Schrupp when the shots rang out. The TVG set is close to the Stretch Run admission gates. It is inside the admission gates and to the east of where the shooting took place.

A large crowd was at the track Sunday, both for the racing but also for the post-race concert from Ice Cube. The crowd was so large that prior to the shooting Del Mar had announced late Sunday that it was sold out and that roads into the track would be closed.

After the incident was contained, Del Mar announced that the concert would go on. It started shortly before 8:30 p.m. and ended shortly before 9:30.

“If we don’t hold it, we’re worried there would be a riot,” said Mac McBride, the track’s director of publicity.

Like most tracks, Del Mar does not require patrons to go through a metal detector. The only time Del Mar has had metal detectors was for last year’s Breeders’ Cup.

Within minutes of the incident, dozens of squad cars rolled into the track grounds, and a police helicopter hovered overhead. Del Mar has its own track security, but the city is policed by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, and it was the sheriff’s office that responded en masse, along with other local and regional officers, including the California Highway Patrol.

There are Sheriff’s personnel at the track daily, and more on days when there are concerts.

Del Mar’s closing day is Monday.