Cold Case: Police ask public's help in solving 1993 murder of former Miss Teen San Diego
SAN DIEGO (FOX5/KUSI)-- The San Diego Police Department's Cold Case Unit and Crime Stoppers are asking for the public's help in finding the suspect responsible for murdering 21-year-old Mimi Barraza in 1993 near City Heights.
- The Nexstar Media Wire shown above details how DNA is used to solve cold cases.
Barraza was a former winner of the Miss Teen San Diego beauty pageant and turned 21 just two days before she was murdered. Thursday marks the 32nd anniversary of the tragic incident.
According to authorities, in the early morning of Sept. 4, 1993, Barraza and a group of friends were standing outside a home talking near City Heights, when a white Chevy Astro van drove to the corner of 39th Street and began shooting at Barraza and the group.
A bullet from an assault rifle struck Barraza in the head, killing her. Another member of the group was shot in the leg, according to the report.
The van reportedly sped from the scene of the shooting and was found abandoned several hours later at 19th and G Street near East Village.
Authorities say the van had been reported stolen a day before the shooting, and several different caliber weapons and bullet casings were found at the crime scene and in the van.
Investigators speculate the murder of Barraza may also be connected to several other shootings involving the same type of assault rifle during the same time frame. According to the report, nine others were wounded in National City with the same weapon. A 16-year-old boy was also shot dead near the Southcrest area.
According to police, the suspects in all of these cases are believed to be Hispanic males associated with a Logan Heights street gang.
Barraza was attending college with plans to go to law school and also left behind a 2-year-old daughter.
Police are asking for anyone with information to contact SDPD’s Cold Case Unit at
619-531-2293 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477.
Authorities are also offering a $1,000 reward.
