Suspect Sought in Slaying of One Man, Kidnaping of Another

Deputies are looking for a man who shot and killed his companion and then kidnaped another man Tuesday in San Marcos.

The suspect is known only as Valencio. He is described as Latino, speaks broken English, is about 35 years old, 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, and has black hair and a mustache.

The victim has not been identified, authorities said.

The shooting occurred at 2:28 a.m. at the home of Jeffrey Scott Lovenguth, in the 1600 block of Twin Oaks Valley Road, said Sheriff’s Sgt. Kate Nolan.

Lovenguth met the two men while at the Fiesta Bar on West Mission Boulevard in San Marcos earlier in the evening, Nolan said.

The two men asked Lovenguth for a ride, Nolan said. The three left the bar and stopped to buy beer at a 7-Eleven convenience store on West Mission Boulevard and Pacific Street.

From there, the three went to Lovenguth’s home where they drank and socialized, officials said. One of the two visitors pulled out a semi-automatic pistol, which Lovenguth put on a shelf in his living room for “safekeeping,” Nolan said.

Lovenguth stepped out of the living room, and while he was away he heard a single gunshot, Nolan said. When he returned, he saw the unidentified man fall to the floor with a wound in the head.

The gunman then ordered Lovenguth out of the house at gunpoint and into his car. Lovenguth was forced to drive until they came to the 3000 block of South Santa Fe Drive in Vista. There the two got out of the car and Lovenguth escaped on foot.

The gunman left in Lovenguth’s car, a maroon 1988 Honda Accord coupe with California license plate number 2MHV112, Nolan said.

Officials said they do not know what may have motivated the shooting and are asking the public for help in locating the assailant.

Any information can be directed to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department homicide detail at 692-5600 or 565-5200.