Brookland-Cayce graduate Cornelius Donte Brown was serving in the Navy, stationed in San Diego at Naval Base Coronado.

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Brown was shot at his residence in the 4300 block of Echo Court in La Mesa, CA, shortly before 12:30 a.m. Saturday. He later died during surgery at a local hospital.

Witnesses inside Brown’s apartment told police that two male adults wearing ski masks and black-hooded sweatshirts entered Brown’s apartment. “One of the suspects immediately opened fire, firing three shots, two of which struck the victim,” said LMPD’s Lt. Greg Runge in a comment published by ABC News 10 in San Diego.

The two males then fled southbound on Echo Court. Police have not determined a motive for the shooting.

Brown was a 2017 graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School and played football and basketball for the Bearcats. It was his ambition to enlist in the Navy and he joined the Navy in 2018. Brown was a Petty Officer 3rd Class assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln.

Detectives from the La Mesa Police Department’s Investigations Division are still investigating and seeking the public’s assistance regarding this crime. If anyone has information, they are asked to contact the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400 or [email protected]. They may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line (888) 580-TIPS (or visit www.sdcrimestoppers.com). They can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a Crime Stoppers reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.