SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A 53-year-old man was shot and stabbed to death Tuesday night during an altercation in the East Village, leaving his family heartbroken as police continue to search for the suspects.
The victim, identified as Willie Tillis by his family, was found by San Diego police officers around 7:40 p.m. near the intersection of 14th Street and Imperial Avenue. Officers responded after hearing gunshots while the Padres game was underway just blocks away.
Tillis’ cousin, Joyce Manning, described him as a kind-hearted man who would often help the homeless.
“He was always joking,” said Manning who added Tillis came from a big family that included six siblings and twin daughters.
Manning said she heard the shots herself.
“The next thing I know, I hear two gunshots… and my daughter told me it was him,” she said. “And he was gone.”
Tillis was found on the sidewalk with multiple injuries. According to Lt. Jud Campbell, a group of people had been on the sidewalk when an altercation broke out.