La Mesa police said a 25-year-old man found mortally wounded on a La Mesa street on July 13 died from stab wounds, not a gunshot wound as originally thought.
Police were called to High Street near Waite Drive shortly after midnight on July 13 by a 911 caller who saw a man staggering across the street who then fell in the driveway of an apartment complex. He died before he could be taken to a hospital. The victim has been identified as Essa Faraj, a La Mesa resident.
On Wednesday, police Lt. Katy Lynch said the Medical Examiner’s Office had determined that Faraj’s injuries were from being stabbed. She said the type of weapon used to stab him was unknown.
Investigators believe Faraj was walking in the area shortly before he was assaulted, but it was unclear where he was attacked. The identity of the suspect or suspects is unknown, she said.
Police ask anyone with information about the incident to contact police at (619) 667-1400 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.