Woman shot, killed while trying to stop robbery; suspect at-large

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A homicide investigation is underway Monday after a 38-year-old woman was shot and killed during a robbery in the Talmadge neighborhood, authorities said.

The shooting occurred around 8:43 p.m. at an apartment complex in the 4400 block of 47th Street, Lt. Jud Campbell with the San Diego Police Department said during a news conference.

When officers arrived on scene, the woman, described as a 38-year-old, was found dead in the home. Officers determined she had suffered a fatal gunshot wound and was declared dead at the scene. Her identity is being withheld pending family notification.

As police began to investigate, Campbell said officers learned the suspect had forced his way into the door of an apartment where a 59-year-old man lived, pointed a gun at the resident inside and robbed him of his wallet.

"While that was happening, the woman tried to intervene in the robbery and the suspect shot and killed her," Campbell said.

A 30-year-old man was taken into custody as a possible suspect in the case after a search in the surrounding area, which included the use of helicopters overhead, per SDPD. Although he was released a brief while later after it was determined he was not the suspect in the incident.

The shooting suspect remains at large as of Monday afternoon, according to Campbell. An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

At this time, Campbell said police are processing the scene for physical evidence, canvassing the area for security camera footage and looking for witnesses to the incident to help piece together what unfolded in the apartment before the shooting.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.