San Diego, CA

San Diego man describes being 10 yards from Trump when shots rang out

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2024

San Diego man describes being 10 yards from Trump when shots rang out

A San Diego man who has traveled to several Trump rallies was just 10 yards from the former president when gunfire rang out in what officials are now calling an assassination attempt.

Blake Marnell, 59, was in the center of the first row of the audience facing Trump when he heard a noise that came from his left.

“I was 10 yards away from where from where Pres. Trump was speaking and the rally had just started,” he said. “I turned left to see what it was; at first, I thought it was a prank. It seemed really close and nearby, and it was really loud.”

Marnell, who was also in Newport Beach on June 8 when Trump visited a home on Harbor Island during a private fundraiser and in Las Vegas a day later, then watched as Secret Service agents came running onto the stage where Trump was standing.

He knew the scenario was serious when he heard another series of shots.

“I thought, this is gunfire,” he said. “I squatted down for about five seconds, but I was concerned about the president. I could hear the Secret Service talking on stage and begin coordinating how they were moving him. I heard them do a countdown 5, 4, 3 … I didn’t know if I was going to see him carried out. I didn’t know how I would see him.”

He was relieved when he watched Trump — cloaked by Secret Service agents — stand up.

“I could see he had blood on his ear, but I didn’t know whose blood it was or what caused it,” Marnell said. “I could see by how he was shaking his fist and the fire in his eyes; it made me hopeful that he would be OK. He looked defiant and angry. He looked like he wanted to let people know he was OK.”

“When he did that pump, people were yelling and cheering,” Marnell said.

As Trump was swept away by Secret Service, the spectators around him showed all kinds of emotions.

“People were crying, praying, angry and shocked and in disbelief,” Marnell said. “But there was no panic, people weren’t running.”

Once he saw Trump taken away and the response from additional law enforcement agents, all with guns drawn, he felt “safe enough.”

But he could also tell something had happened in the stands behind where the former president had stood on the stage.

“Members of the public were attending to someone injured,” he said, adding that he did not see the victims up close. But he knew by watching the behavior of those helping that something awful had happened.

Marnell got to the rally site at 7 a.m., so he could get a front-row seat. The rally was the third he has attended. As a Republic National Committee delegate, he was on his way to Milwaukee, Wisc., when he learned of Trump’s plans to hold the rally in Butler County.

In 2019, during a campaign rally in Montoursville, Penn., Trump invited Marnell to come up on stage. Marnell was wearing a suit that had a brick wall design to represent a border wall, as USA Today reported.

“Now, we know who he’s voting for,” Trump said after shaking hands with him back then.

Marnell said he “wouldn’t think twice” about attending future rallies that Trump will hold.

“There will be a renewed focus on safety,” he said. “They’ll change the protocol and maybe the rallies won’t be held in big, open outside areas.”

Marnell now looks forward to seeing Trump when he is announced as the Republican candidate, he said, vowing to support him.

“I’m just glad he’s alive.”

Originally Published: July 13, 2024 at 7:47 p.m.

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San Diego, CA

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

Published

53 minutes ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

San Diego County is known for having wet, cold weather in February. But it had numerous hot spells this year. And when the month ended on Saturday a high pressure system produced heat that broke or tied temperature records in nine communities from the desert to the sea, the National Weather Service said.

The most notable temperature occurred in Borrego Springs, which reached 99, five degrees higher than the previous record for Feb. 28, set in 1986. The 99 reading is also the highest temperature ever recorded in Borrego in February.

Escondido reached 95, tying a record set in 1901.

El Cajon reached 92, three degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Ramona topped out at 88, five degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Alpine hit 88, four degrees higher the record set in 1986.

Campo reached 87, four degrees higher than the record set in 1999.

Vista hit 86, four degrees higher than the record set in 2020.

Chula Vista reached 84, one degree higher than the record set in 2020.

Lake Cuyamaca rose to 76, four degrees higher than the record set in 1986.

Forecasters say the weather is not likely to broadly produce new highs on Sunday. Cooler air is moving to the coast, and on Monday, San Diego’s high will only reach 67, a degree above normal.

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San Diego, CA

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

Published

13 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

OCEANSIDE — The Frontwave Arena scoreboard showed 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Up 16, Francis Parker’s win over Westview High School for the CIF San Diego Section Open Division girls basketball championship was secure.

“No, no, no!” Parker head coach Courtney Clements screamed to freshman guard Jordan Brown, telling her there was no need to score.

So Brown walked the ball up the floor, from the backcourt, across midcourt, a 1,000-watt smile etched across her face.

With no Wolverines defending her, Brown dribbled from side to side across the logo. Then, a fraction of a moment before the final buzzer sounded, Brown flung the basketball high toward the rafters, then was engulfed by teammates.

The job was complete. Parker’s first Open Division title in program history was secure, the final reading 66-50 on Saturday night.

Of those final seconds, said Brown, who scored 23 points. “It was a surreal moment, knowing we worked for this all year long. It’s amazing.”

One reason it was amazing was because the top-seeded Lancers (21-7) were a decided favorite, but were stressed by the sixth-seeded Wolverines (20-9). Led by UC Santa Barbara-bound senior guard Sarah Heyn (18 points in the first half), Westview led 35-28 early in the third quarter.

“I just knew I had to do whatever it took to win,” said Brown. “Whether that was defense or offense. I just wanted to win, period.”

Sparked by its defense, Parker closed the quarter on a 14-0 run. Westview’s final 11 possessions of the quarter ended with five missed shots and six turnovers.

Still, the game wasn’t over. Heyn cut the deficit to 48-44 with just over six minutes to play on a bucket. But with 5:47 to play, Heyn was whistled for her fifth foul on a reach-in.

“Knowing their best player fouled out, we sealed the win,” said Brown.

As for Heyn, who finished with 23 points, she sat on the bench and pulled her jersey over her eyes, hiding tears.

Clements’ thoughts when Heyn fouled out? “I hope we can put this game away now.”

Francis Parker High’s Jordan Brown shoots against Westview High during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

That the Lancers did, outscoring Westview 18-6 down the stretch.

The Lancers’ players and coach were effusive in their praise for Heyn, a four-year starter.

“She’s a great player,” said Brown.

“She played phenomenally,” said Clements. “She played the way you would think a senior would play in a championship game. She played desperately. She played every possession like it was the last 20 seconds of the game. She was extremely impressive. (Heyn buried five 3s, missing only once from deep.) She should be proud of herself.”

Clements was proud of her team for another reason. After blowing out two-time reigning Open Division champion Mission Hills by 26 in the semis, some thought Parker might cruise in the title game.

“I figured it was going to be a fight, and it was,” said Clements. “It was good that our girls had to come together, had to stick together. That’s what this is all about, developing character via the sport of basketball. When the kids face adversity, they have to make a decision. Who do they want to be? They showed the best version of themselves. That’s what I want to remember from a game like this.”

Francis Parker’s primary color is brown, which is fitting for the girls basketball team. They are led not only by the freshman Jordan Brown, but also junior Brieana Brown, a strong, aggressive and athletic 5-foot-11 wing.

Brieana Brown scored 25 points and yanked down a team-best eight rebounds.

About the team in brown being led by the Browns (who are not related), Jordan Brown said: “It’s super cool. I love Bri and our story. So many people think we’re related, that we’re siblings. In reality, we’re not, but we play like it.”

Francis Parker High's Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune) — Francis Parker High’s Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Francis Parker and Westview both will advance to the Southern California Regionals.

Earlier in the season, Clements — who was dressed in all black for the championship game — confessed she wasn’t crazy about Parker’s primary color. Her mood shifted Saturday night.

“Brown’s doing well for me now,” she said.

Asked if Lancers’ Brown squared tandem represents the best one-two girls basketball punch in the San Diego Section, Clements gave the questioner a “What do you think?” smirk.

“That,” said the coach of the Open Division champions, “is a no-brainer.”

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