On May 25, 2015, Joel Branch, age 47, and Gerald Morris were shot and killed in the Valencia Park neighborhood of San Diego, California. The incident took place on the 5300 block of Groveland Drive, where both men were on Branch’s front patio. It was Memorial Day, and they were hosting a gathering of family and friends. A third male was also shot nearby, possibly by the same assailants.
The attackers were described as two Black males on foot, but no further information about their identities has been discovered, and the case remains unsolved. The San Diego Police Department and Crime Stoppers have sought public assistance, offering a reward for information that could lead to an arrest. Despite these efforts, there have been no significant leads or arrests, leaving Branch and Morris's families searching for answers to this tragic and unresolved crime.
This homicide is one of many cases of gun violence that have plagued San Diego communities, leaving loved ones grappling with loss and unanswered questions. The plea for help has continued over the years, as the family hopes to find justice and closure for the victims.
