A man and a woman were found shot to death just after 12:25 a.m. Monday on a Grant Hill block near Imperial Avenue, and three children under age 2 were discovered unharmed in a nearby van, authorities said. By Tuesday, detectives announced two arrests in the case.
Police identified the victims as Ruben Chavez, 31, and Evelyn Virgen, 28, both from San Diego. The discovery jolted the residential corridor east of downtown, where officers cordoned off 27th Street for hours as homicide detectives photographed evidence and towed the vehicle with child seats still inside. Investigators said early witness accounts and surveillance footage guided a rapid search that stretched to the border. The killings drew immediate attention because of the presence of the very young children and the quick detention of suspects as they tried to re-enter the United States.
Detectives said officers were sent to the 100 block of 27th Street after reports of gunfire shortly after midnight Monday. Chavez and Virgen were found in the roadway and pronounced dead at the scene. The three children, all toddlers, were discovered nearby in a parked van and placed into county protective custody. By Tuesday afternoon, police said they had arrested Princess Perez, 25, and Ramses “Rex” Morales, 21, on suspicion of two counts of murder each. Investigators said the shootings stemmed from an ongoing dispute between the two couples. One suspect previously dated Chavez, according to police.
Officials said Perez and Morales traveled to Mexico after the attack and were detained when they attempted to cross back into the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Detectives interviewed both and booked them into county facilities. Officers recovered shell casings at the scene; the type of firearm and the number of shots fired were not released. Authorities did not report injuries to the children and said Virgen was their mother. A broader motive beyond the reported dispute remains under investigation, and police have not announced any additional suspects.
Grant Hill, a neighborhood of older single-family homes and small apartments just east of downtown, rarely sees major crime before dawn, neighbors said. Several residents reported hearing two quick shots, then sirens racing up Imperial Avenue. By sunrise, evidence markers dotted the asphalt and technicians canvassed for doorbell video from homes along 27th Street. The case unfolded as homicide detectives coordinated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a common step in San Diego when suspects may cross the border soon after a crime.
Police said next steps include full autopsies by the county medical examiner to confirm causes and approximate times of death, ballistic testing of recovered casings, and continued collection of surveillance footage. Prosecutors had not announced formal charges as of late Tuesday but are reviewing the case for filing decisions and initial court appearances this week. Detectives said they will evaluate whether the dispute involved prior threats or restraining orders and will add any findings to the case file. The children remain under county supervision while victim services coordinate temporary care.
As evening fell Tuesday, a small memorial of candles and flowers appeared near the curb where investigators worked a day earlier. “It’s heartbreaking,” said a neighbor who watched officers lift the toddlers from the van and carry them to waiting units. Patrol cars circled the block through the night as traffic returned to normal on Imperial Avenue and yellow tape came down. Residents said they hoped the quick arrests would bring answers as the case moves into court.
As of Tuesday night, Perez and Morales were in custody on suspicion of murder, and police said the double-homicide investigation remains active. The next milestone is the district attorney’s charging decision and an initial hearing expected later this week.
Author note: Last updated January 20, 2026.