News Summary
Authorities in San Diego are renewing their investigation into the murder of 31-year-old Andre Mahan, who was fatally shot in 2006. Despite the passage of time, the Homicide Unit is seeking public assistance to identify the suspect, described as a young male. Mahan’s wife, present during the incident, locked eyes with the shooter but details remain scarce. A reward is offered for information leading to an arrest, emphasizing community involvement in resolving this tragic cold case.
San Diego – Nearly 20 years after the tragic murder of 31-year-old Andre Mahan, authorities are renewing their efforts to identify the suspect responsible for the crime. The shooting occurred in the early hours of August 19, 2006, inside Mahan’s apartment located in the 4600 block of Nogal Street.
According to reports, Andre Mahan was fatally shot shortly after 2:30 a.m. His wife, Essie Mae Horne, was present during the incident but was fortunately unharmed. Horne was able to observe the shooter from a distance of about 20 feet and was able to lock eyes with him during the chaotic moments.
The suspect has been described as a male approximately 17 to 18 years old at the time of the shooting. He was seen wearing a red T-shirt layered over a white T-shirt, along with a black pantyhose-type material cap, also known as a durag. Interestingly, Horne recalls that the gunman appeared to look younger than his estimated age and believed he could have been around 13 or 14 years old.
The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and investigators from the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit have been diligently working on the case for nearly two decades without a significant lead. Mahan’s murder is currently classified as a cold case, prompting the authorities to seek the assistance of the public in locating the suspect.
Crime Stoppers has announced a reward of $1,000 for any information that leads to an arrest in this case. Authorities are encouraging anyone with pertinent details to contact the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477, highlighting the importance of community involvement in resolving this case.
Essie Mae Horne continues to live with the pain of losing her husband and the impact it has had on their family. Mahan is survived by Horne and their two children, Andre Junior and Domonique, who are now in their 20s. Horne describes her late husband as a quiet and loving individual who dedicated himself to supporting his family.
In a tragic turn of events, Horne experienced further heartache ten years after Mahan’s murder when she lost her twin brother, Johnny Ray Horne, to gun violence. In response to her personal losses, she founded TWEEN (Together We Elevate Each Other in Our Neighborhoods), an initiative aimed at helping survivors of gun violence while advocating for mental health solutions within the community.
With the case remaining unsolved, San Diego authorities stress the necessity for public assistance in apprehending the suspect responsible for Mahan’s tragic death. The long-standing mystery surrounding this case serves as a reminder of the far-reaching impacts of gun violence and the ongoing need for support and intervention in affected communities.
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego: 2006 Lincoln Park Cold Case Murder
- Wikipedia: Cold Case
- CBS 8: Grief and Hope for Wife in San Diego Cold Case
- Google Search: San Diego cold case murder
- San Diego Union Tribune: 19 Years Later, His Slaying Remains Unsolved
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Murder
- 10 News: $1,000 Reward Offered in 19-Year-Old San Diego Murder Case
- Google News: San Diego murder cases
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
