UPDATE: The Medical Examiner’s Office has concluded the autopsy related to this incident. The Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim as 86-year-old Fallbrook resident Magnus Johnson. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and chest. The manner of death has been ruled a homicide.

Fallbrook CA— Shortly before noon today, September 21, 2016, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Fallbrook Substation responded to the church located, 331 E. Elder Street in the Community of Fallbrook for a report of a possible fight. When deputies arrived, they met with two victims who said they were painting the exterior of the church when a young adult male approached them and began hitting them with his fists. The young male quickly ran north bound through an alley along the west side of the church.

Deputies were beginning to check the alley for the suspect when they discovered an elderly male adult lying on the ground with trauma to his upper body. Deputies provided first aid until paramedics arrived. The elderly male was transported to Palomar Hospital where he died from his injuries a short time later.
Deputies continued their search for the suspect. Shortly before 12:30 p.m., deputies were in the 700 block of E. Fallbrook Street when they saw a person matching the description of the suspect. Fallbrook resident Keith Vazquez, age 21 was detained. During this time he was positively identified by witnesses as the person who attacked all three victims at the church.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and the Fallbrook Substation are conducting the investigation. Keith Vazquez will be booked into the Vista Detention Facility for murder.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.