Vista CA— Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and the Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 22-year-old Vista resident, Kevin Phan for the Christmas Eve shooting death of Tyler Branon. Phan was arrested at a home in the 1600 block of Harbor Drive in the city of Vista just before 10:30 a.m. today.
Detectives are still investigating the motive for the shooting but can confirm that both the victim and suspect were acquaintances. Phan will be booked into the Vista Detention Facility on a single count of murder.
The incident happened shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday evening, December 24, 2016, Deputies from the Vista Patrol Station received a radio call to respond to the 1300 block of Morning Glory Lane to investigate a report of multiple gunshots. When they arrived a few minutes later, they found a 22-year-old male identified as Fallbrook resident, Tyler Branon, sitting in a car with apparent gunshot wounds to his torso. Deputies immediately began to render first aid until paramedics could arrive. Once paramedics were on scene, they continued to administer first aid. Unfortunately, the victim did not survive his wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The cause of death was due to multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death has been ruled a homicide. The remainder of the autopsy details have been sealed.
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 and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.