Shawn Cassidy Forbes

Do you know who murdered Shawn?
Shawn Cassidy Forbes, a young man of 20 from El Cajon, California, was just beginning his adult life when he was killed in the summer of 1992. As a security guard, he was entrusted with the safety of others, a responsibility he took seriously. His life was cut short while he was on duty, a loss that has echoed through the decades for those who knew him and for the community he served. Though many details of his personal life have faded from public view over the years, the tragic circumstances of his death remain a stark reminder of a promising life unfulfilled.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, July 19, 1992, Shawn was patrolling the grounds of the Evergreen Condominiums in San Diego. The complex, located in the 2300 block of Tocayo Avenue, was quiet just after midnight when the sound of several gunshots broke the silence. Residents reported the gunfire, and San Diego police officers were dispatched to the scene. Upon their arrival, they made a grim discovery on a grassy area in front of the condominiums: Shawn was found lying dead, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

The investigation began immediately, with the San Diego Police Department piecing together the events of that fatal night. Shawn was working for Rogers Police Patrol, a private security firm, and was in the middle of his shift when he was attacked. Witnesses reported seeing a lone man running through the complex right after the shots were fired. He was described as a Hispanic male, between 20 and 25 years old, standing 5'8" to 5'10" with a medium build. He was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, white pants, white tennis shoes, and a dark watch cap. Crucially, witnesses saw him carrying a long gun, which authorities believe was a shotgun.

Despite this description, the suspect vanished without a trace. The motive for the shooting has remained a mystery to investigators for more than three decades. There was no clear reason why Shawn, a uniformed security guard performing his duties, would be targeted in such a violent manner. The case quickly went cold, leaving a void of unanswered questions for his family and the authorities. No arrests have ever been made in connection with his murder.

Over the years, Shawn's case has remained open within the San Diego Police Department's Homicide Unit. It is one of many cold cases that detectives revisit, hoping that new technology, a fresh look at the evidence, or a long-overdue tip from the public might finally provide a breakthrough. The passage of time can sometimes encourage people who were once hesitant to come forward with information, and investigators hold out hope that someone, somewhere, knows what happened to Shawn Forbes.

The case of Shawn Cassidy Forbes is a somber fixture on the San Diego Police Department's list of unsolved homicides. As of 2026, the investigation is ongoing. Authorities continue to seek information from the public that could lead to the identification and arrest of the person responsible for his death. A reward may be available for information leading to an arrest. The San Diego Police Department's Homicide Unit can be reached at 619-531-2293. For those who wish to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.