By Safvan Allahverdi
WASHINGTON (AA) – A gunman, allegedly depressed over a recent breakup, opened fire at a birthday party in San Diego, killing one victim and injuring six others while he was on the phone with an ex-girlfriend, police said Monday.
Authorities identified the gunman as Peter Selis, 49, a San Diego resident who was shot and killed by police after he opened fire at the La Jolla Crossroads Apartments.
Police said Selis allegedly entered the pool area, laid down on a lounge chair, and calmly started shooting guests at the party as he spoke to his ex-girlfriend on the phone.
“It is apparent that Selis wanted his ex-girlfriend to listen in as he carried out his rampage,” Zimmerman noted.
Even though Selis was white and victims were Latino and black, police said they don’t think race was a factor in the deadly rampage.
“There is zero information to indicate that race played a factor in this terrible horrific crime,” San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said at a press conference.
Police said that the victims were only targeted because they happened to be at the pool at the time.
“These victims were just in his vicinity when he committed this terrible tragedy,” Zimmerman said, adding: “What started as a celebration of a friend’s birthday party turned into a tragedy of epic proportions.”
Two victims remain in critical, but stable, condition and all are expected to survive, Zimmerman said.
