A man accused of fatally shooting an acquaintance at an Ocean Beach condominium complex was scheduled to be arraigned June 27 at the downtown courthouse. The arraignment was delayed until Thursday, June 30. Thomas Francis Burke, 32, was arrested Thursday in the East Village area, roughly 8 1/2 hours after gunfire erupted. Patrol officers found the mortally wounded 35-year-old victim on the ground in the 4100 block of Voltaire Street about 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 22.
Witnesses reported that the assailant had retreated into a nearby residence, said San Diego police Lt. Ray Valentin. Officers tried in vain to contact the suspect, then called in a SWAT team to take positions around the condo and prepare to enter forcibly if necessary.
The stalemate continued past daybreak, until a detective was able to get hold of Burke on the suspect’s cellphone. Burke agreed to turn himself in and did so about 7:30 a.m. at 16th and F streets in downtown San Diego.
Police were unsure if Burke had been in the surrounded residence at all during the standoff or if he might have left the area unnoticed beforehand. A motive for the killing was unknown.