Second suspect jailed in alleged Balboa Park murder

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

Brandon Mario Winegarden, 28, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact to the murder of fellow transient James Garcia, 43, according to the San Diego Police Department.

On July 25, investigators found Garcia’s body buried in the side of a canyon hillside along State Road 163 near Richmond Street, SDPD Lt. Jud Campbell said. An autopsy determined the victim had been shot.

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

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

Police say the victim and suspects were apparently homeless and living in Balboa Park at the time of the shooting.

The reasons behind the alleged murder remain unclear.

“The SDPD Homicide Unit continues to investigate this case to gather more information regarding Garcia’s death, including clarifying the motive for the shooting,” Campbell said.

Winegarden was being held at the San Diego Central Jail on $50,000 bail pending his court appearance, scheduled for Friday afternoon. Jones is being held at the Vista Detention Center, awaiting trial.