One of the alleged gunmen connected to a shootout at a pool party in Grantville earlier this month that left two men dead was arrested in Mississippi on Tuesday, San Diego police said.
Jacarre Easter, 23, was located by police around 6 p.m. in Hattiesburg, Lt. Jud Campbell said in a news release Wednesday.
Detectives said Easter was one of three people who allegedly pulled a gun during a poolside party March 1 at an apartment complex on Alvarado Canyon Road near Mission Gorge Road.
Investigators said last week the trouble started after several gang members saw a rival gang member at the pool party.
The group of partygoers forced their rival into a corner near a stairwell. Two of the partygoers opened fire and shot the rival. He then was able to pull a gun out and return fire, killing one of the partygoers who had cornered him, police said last week.
The rival gang member then ran into the stairwell, where paramedics found him gravely wounded. He died later at a hospital.
The shooting victims were identified as Joseph Taylor, 31, and Lavion Estridge, 24. Investigators did not say which victim was Taylor or Estridge.
Taylor was a San Diego resident but did not live at the Union Grantville complex. Estridge was a security guard at the newly opened complex, but it was unclear if he was on duty when the shooting occurred.
One of the partygoers who allegedly pulled a gun, Charles Patrick Burke, 31, was arraigned last week and pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in connection with the shootings. The prosecution also filed gang allegations against Burke.
Burke is accused of shooting at one of the victims who died, but he is charged with both deaths. Deputy District Attorney John Dunlap said that is because Burke is alleged to have provoked one killing, and his actions aided and abetted the other.
Easter will also be booked on suspicion of both murders, Campbell said. It was not immediately clear when he will be sent back to San Diego for booking.
