A suspect was arrested this week in connection with the slaying of an 18-year-old Navy man who was gunned down last summer near Petco Park.

Ta’Kari Terell Benness, 20, was taken into custody Wednesday in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on suspicion of fatally shooting Albert Soto of Queens, New York, according to the San Diego Police Department.

Two young men died in two separate shootings over the holiday weekend. One relates to a series of shootings in Chicano Park. The other death is a Navy Sailor. NBC 7’s Kelvin Henry has the details.

Patrol officers responding to reports of gunfire found Soto mortally wounded at the intersection of F Street and Ninth Avenue shortly before 1 a.m. Aug. 31, SDPD Lt. Lou Maggi said.

The victim was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later.

An 18-year-old servicemember was killed and four people wanted in connection with his death are on the run. NBC 7’s Kelvin Henry reports.

On the night of his death, Soto and some friends of his got into a confrontation with four men inside a downtown San Diego nightclub, according to police. The groups eventually left the venue via separate exits, but continued arguing outside intermittently for about a half-hour, until the fatal gunfire erupted.

The shooter and his cohorts then ran off, Maggi said.

Operations Specialist Seaman Apprentice Soto, a New York native who was assigned to USS Pinckney at Naval Base San Diego, had reported to San Diego for military service in April, six months after enlisting, according to the Navy.

(NEXSTAR) – Universal Orlando announced on Thursday that Epic Universe, its newest theme park, will officially open on May 22, 2025.

The theme park will feature more than 50 attractions, as well as entertainment, dining and shopping options across five “expansive worlds,” Universal Orlando Resort said in a news release.

Celestial Park, which is the theme park’s main “world,” will feature gardens and fountains. From the central park, guests will travel through “portals” to each of the other four worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic; Super Nintendo World; How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk; and Dark Universe.

“This is such a pivotal moment for our destination, and we’re thrilled to welcome guests to Epic Universe next year,” said Karen Irwin, President and COO of Universal Orlando Resort. “With the addition of this spectacular new theme park, our guests will embark on an unforgettable vacation experience with a week’s worth of thrills that will be nothing short of epic! Our Universe will never be the same.”  

Universal Orlando also announced ticket packages and multi-day tickets will go on sale Oct. 22. Additional tickets will go on sale at a later date. Reservations for Universal Helios Grand Hotel will also open on Oct. 22 for stays beginning May 22, 2025.

Earlier this year, Universal Orlando unveiled more details about the theme park’s separate lands.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic will be the latest addition to Universal’s Harry Potter-themed lands, after those at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. This newest “world” will feature a “different era of the wizarding world in an all-new land that blends 1920s wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films with the iconic British Ministry of Magic from the ‘Harry Potter’ series,” Universal Orlando said in a news release.

Super Nintendo World, meanwhile, will offer guests the chance to travel through a green pipe to join the world of Mario and Luigi. How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, which is based on the “How to Train Your Dragon” film franchise, will house several rides, including one promising to give visitors a “dragon’s eye view” of the area. And the Dark Universe world will feature “the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery,” Universal Orlando said in a news release.

Celestial Park, the main hub, won’t be without its own attractions, either. Some of the attractions include a grand carousel and the Starfall Racers dual-launch racing coaster, with a top speed of 62 mph along 5,000 feet of track.

An East County city could soon become the new hotspot for nightlife. After banning new bars for decades in downtown El Cajon, city leaders are considering changing zoning laws that could help transform it into an entertainment district.

That’s because while the seasonal Wednesday car show and other events get people revved up to come to downtown El Cajon, when they roll out for the night, residents say downtown is: “D-E-A-D,” said one resident who frequents the area.

Michelle Metschel is among the city councilmembers looking to make El Cajon lit again.

“We used to have clubs and go from one club to the next, it was fun,” said Councilmember Metschel. “We have nothing for 21-41-year-olds and I’d like to bring some of that excitement back.”

Restaurants and brewpubs like Creative Creature have been replaced. Signs of restaurants to come or vacant storefronts now dot Main Street.

Metschel lamented the limited possibilities last Friday night after leaving an event with her husband.

“There wasn’t any place for us to go and listen to music, have a cocktail or two, so it’s disappointing. We went home, changed clothes and watched Netflix,” said Metschel.

New bars have effectively been banned from opening in downtown El Cajon for nearly 30 years, because things had gotten too rowdy.

Zoning laws now require all new bars to be one thousand feet from an existing bar. La Fiesta is one of only two on Main Street.

Residents like Paloma Cortez and her kids say they look for nightlife in other cities.

“El Cajon is a place for old people, because we don’t have no place for fun. When they want something fun, they go to Tijuana or San Diego,” Cortez said.

During a recent city council meeting, members gave the green light to consider easing alcohol zoning restrictions and creating an entertainment district with more bars and restaurants.

Now it’s up to the planning commission to draft recommendations to give to the council.

While she waits, Metschel’s been polling people on the street and has a few of her own suggestions.

“I’m putting a challenge out there, Sam the Cooking Guy. You know you want to put a little taco place out here, maybe a tiny comedy club.”

Councilmember Phil Ortiz said the City of El Cajon has methods of regulating and policing the bars to make sure things won’t get out of hand again.

Although councilmembers agree on the idea of relaxing laws to bring more businesses downtown, it’s still months away from happening.