Brian McColley pleads not guilty in fatal Crystal Pier shooting

Brian Mathew McColley stood before a judge Friday to answer to a murder charge in the early-morning killing of Aberto Quiroz-Arreola at Crystal Pier. The 49-year-old man pleaded not guilty to the fatal shooting that occurred on Oct. 5.

Quiroz-Arreola, 31, was on duty as an unarmed security guard when the incident took place. Acting Lt. Christopher Leahy of the San Diego Police Department stated that employees from a nearby bar heard the gunshots and rushed outside to assist. They discovered Quiroz-Arreola critically injured and began administering first aid until paramedics arrived.

Medical staff transported the guard to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The shooting left behind an 8-year-old daughter and a partner who spoke publicly about the loss. Viviana Gonzalez, the partner, described Quiroz-Arreola as a loving father and a dedicated worker who took pride in his profession. “He was just doing his job. I know him. He loved his job. He took it very, very serious,” Gonzalez said. She added that the shooter “took a very good guy” and that her daughter “doesn’t get to walk with [Quiroz-Arreola] down the aisle.”

Witnesses at the scene reported chasing the suspect after the gunfire. They observed the individual flee northbound, either on foot or by entering a vehicle on Ocean Boulevard. Police officers tracked the suspect down and arrested McColley on Tuesday afternoon in El Cajon. Authorities confirmed that McColley was also taken into custody on a separate warrant violation for an unrelated offense.

Prosecutors indicated that the motive for the shooting was not yet clear. They stated that the two men did not know each other. The office noted that McColley has a criminal history that includes multiple armed robberies of banks.

The San Diego Police Department urged anyone with information regarding the fatal shooting to contact the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.