Escondido man, woman in custody after fatal shooting of 21-year-old Fallbrook resident

Two Escondido residents are in jail following the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Steven LaRussa of Fallbrook.

LaRussa was reportedly shot while walking on North Gamble Street near El Norte Parkway in Escondido on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 11. Two men were seen approaching LaRussa at the time of the incident, but ran off afterward, witnesses said.

On Wednesday, June 12, Escondido Police arrested Juan Maldonado, 18, and Jessica Espinoza, 19, both of Escondido. They were stopped while traveling in a car, taken into custody, and booked into jail on suspicion of murder. Since then, Maldonado has been charged with murder in the first degree and Espinoza with being an accessory after the fact.

A search warrant was also served at an Escondido home in relation to the case. Authorities said the victim and the suspects had past history.

It is unknown whether or not Escondido Police is still looking for another suspect in regards to the shooting.

A readiness conference is expected to be held next week at Vista Superior Court relating to the murder case.