Pacific Beach

San Diego police investigate robbery, possible shooting in Pacific Beach

As the suspect was leaving in a vehicle, police said the suspect fired a weapon and a bullet hit a nearby building.

An up-close image of a San Diego Police Department cruiser on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022.
NBC 7

San Diego police are investigating a reported robbery and shooting in Pacific Beach on Sunday night.

The incident happened in the 1300 block of Garnet Avenue, around 10:15 p.m., according to the San Diego Police Department.

The owner of Beach Wave Smoke Shop told NBC 7 a customer and another person came in to buy nitrous aero gas, a common product at the shop. The person acted like they were going to pay but then snatched the product off the counter and ran.

The owner said he chased them outside but he stopped when the thief told him he had a gun.

A restaurant employee at a popular burger spot nearby, The Friendly, tried to help and chased the suspect, the restaurant owner, Bruce Heelan, told NBC 7. Heelan was not at the restaurant at the time, but received a phone call from another employee detailing what happened.

Police said as the suspect was leaving in a vehicle being driven by another person, the suspect reportedly fired a shot at someone, and the bullet hit the building. However, Heelan said he could not confirm details about shots being fired.

No one was injured, SDPD said.

The suspect then took off in the vehicle. No suspect was yet in custody.

This is a developing story. Please refresh for updates.

Editors Note: SDPD previously said the robbery occurred at The Friendly, a popular burger spot in Pacific Beach, but business owners later told us it occurred at the smoke shop a few doors down.

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