A man suspected of fatally shooting a homeless man in Barrio Logan six months ago was brought back to California this week following his arrest in Florida, a San Diego police official said.
St Petersburg police came across David Gatheright, 42, while responding to a disturbance at a home Nov. 19, homicide Lt. Steve Shebloski said. When officers ran Gatheright’s name, they discovered an arrest warrant indicating he was wanted for murder in connection with the death of Brian Noel, 53.
St Petersburg police reached out to San Diego prosecutors, and the two agencies worked to arrange Gatheright’s extradition to California.
Gatheright arrived in San Diego on Monday, where he is jailed without bail. According to jail records, he is slated to be arraigned Thursday in San Diego Superior Court.
Noel was shot shortly before 5:50 a.m. June 2 on Logan Avenue near 16th and Commercial streets. The area is at the boundary of Barrio Logan and East Village.
Shebloski said at that time that officers arrived within two minutes and found the victim, who had been shot multiple times in his chest. He died at a hospital.
Footage from OnScene TV showed a woman repeatedly cry out “Why?” as she watched first responders work to revive him then place him in an ambulance.
Shebloski said Tuesday that Noel had a “brief verbal altercation” with someone, who then shot Noel.
Gatheright is not from San Diego, but has family connections in several states, including Florida, Shebloski said.
He described Gatheright as a transient who was living in downtown San Diego, where Gatheright crossed paths with the victim, who also lived in the area. The two acquaintances argued that morning, and that led to the shooting, Shebloki said.
