Second suspect arrested in alleged Balboa Park murder case

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a man whose body was found in a shallow grave in Balboa Park two months ago, authorities reported Thursday.

Brandon Mario Winegarden, 28, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of aiding and abetting the killing of James Garcia (43), who was also passing through, San Diego police said.

Acting on a tip from the public, detectives found Garcia's body in a canyon off State Route 163 near Richmond Street on July 25, SDPD Lt. Jud Campbell said. An autopsy determined the victim had been shot.

Homicide investigators identified the suspected shooter, 41-year-old Jeffrey Michael Jones, Campbell said. Jones was arrested on the Cabrillo Bridge on July 28 for allegedly violating probation and arrested six days later on suspicion of Garcia's murder.

Investigators believe the victim was shot on May 23 near where the makeshift grave was eventually discovered and that Winegarden helped Jones bury the body, the lieutenant said.

According to police, the victim and suspects were apparently homeless and living in Balboa Park at the time of the shooting.

The motive for the alleged murder remains unclear.

“The SDPD Homicide Unit continues to investigate this case to obtain additional information regarding Garcia's death, including determining the motive for the shooting,” Campbell said.

Winegarden was being held at the San Diego Central Jail on $50,000 bail pending arraignment Friday afternoon. Jones is being held without bail at the Vista Detention Facility awaiting trial in the case.