Man pistol-whipped, shot in hand at La Jolla motel

A 25-year-old male was pistol-whipped and shot in the hand by a known 24-year-old male suspect during an altercation that occurred between them at around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20 at the La Jolla Biltmore in Bird Rock.The men were fighting over a female companion of theirs.

According to San Diego police, the suspect barged into the motel room where the victim and his girlfriend were staying, and was pistol-whipping the victim when the gun fired, shooting the victim in the hand.

Police said the suspect and the suspect’s girlfriend fled in a gold SUV. Police are now searching for the suspect and vehicle.

The victim was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. San Diego Police’s Northern Division is investigating.