Freeway Shooting 'Gang Related'; Sycuan Tribe Offering $50K Reward

La Mesa police said Monday afternoon, that a shooting incident from early Sunday morning on Interstate 8 near SR-125, in which , was likely gang-related.

Capt. David Bond told assembled media on Monday that though the investigation is still ongoing, based on witness statements and evidence.

Police also said there are currently no leads on the suspect(s) of the shooting, only that the suspect(s) were driving a gray or silver sedan, and allegedly fired multiple shots into the victims’ car, a Nissan Maxima.

Brown, was struck in the head, and later succumbed to his injuries at Sharp Grossmont Hospital. Bond said that he was in the front passenger seat of the Nissan, and that the other shooting victim, Malcolm Hune, 21, was driving.

Hune, from San Diego, was shot in the arm and transported to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

When asked if the victims were known gang members, Bond said: “At this point, we have no evidence to suspect that either are documented gang members.”

Bond also indicated that there were other people in the car with the victims, but chose not to elaborate. He also said that the police department is aware of where the victims were going and coming from, but also chose not to disclose that information.

“Based on the evidence, we are hopeful and confident that we are going to solve this homicide, but as far as a particular person, right now, no,” Bond said when asked if they have a good idea of who the suspect(s) are.

There is a $50,000 reward being offered for any information on the case which leads to an arrest and conviction in this case. The money is being donated by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, of which Brown was a member.

Adam Day, a representative of the Sycuan tribe, said that tribe and family members are “shocked and horrified by the senseless shooting of Xusha Brown, Jr.”

“The most important message is to the broader community,” said Day. “We need your help in finding whoever was responsible for this horrific crime. Any detail, no matter how small you think could be invaluable as the police continue their efforts.”

Day said that Sycuan made $10,000 available to San Diego County Crime Stoppers as a reward, and that an additional $40,000 can be made available to the police department for anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

“He was a wonderful young man,” Day said of Brown. “The entire tribe is grief stricken.”

“The senseless murder of young Xusha Brown, Jr. offends the conscience,”  Sycuan Chairman Daniel Tucker said in a statement.  “Our tribe is committed to doing whatever we can to help apprehend and convict the person or person responsible for this terrible crime.”