San Diego County Crime Stoppers along with investigators from the San Diego Police  Department’s Cold Case Unit continue to ask for the public’s help in identifying and  locating the suspects responsible for the murder of 21-year-old Mimi Barraza. 

In the early morning hours of September 4, 1993, Mimi Barraza and a group of her  friends were standing outside of a friend's home talking. A white Chevy Astro van  drove to the corner on 39th Street, and without warning, the occupants of the van  

began shooting into Barraza's group of friends. One of Barraza's friends was shot in  the leg and Barraza herself was killed when a bullet from an assault rifle struck her in  the head. 

The van sped away from the scene. It was located several hours later that morning  abandoned at 19th & G Street. The van had been reported stolen the previous day.  Casings from several different caliber weapons were recovered at the crime scene and  from the van. 

During the same general time frame, in both San Diego and National City, several  other shootings using the same type of assault rifle occurred. Nine people were  wounded in the National City case. In one of the San Diego cases, which occurred on  3800 Delta Street, a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed. It is possible that these and  other cases are related. 

Barraza had turned 21 two days before her death, and she left behind a two-year-old  daughter. She was a previous winner of the Miss Teen San Diego beauty contest and  was attending college with plans to go onto law school. 

Suspects’ Description 

The suspects in all of these cases are believed to be Hispanic males affiliated with a  street gang from Logan Heights. 

Anyone with information on this murder is asked to call the SDPD’s Cold Case Unit at (619) 531-2293 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Visit the Crime Stoppers website at www.sdcrimestoppers.org for more information on how to  send anonymous web and mobile app tips.  

• Media inquiries about this case should be directed to Lt. Chris Tivanian at (619) 531-2775 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 
• Media inquiries about Crime Stoppers can be directed to Officer Mark Herring at (619) 531-1500 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Deputy Emilio Castillero at (619) 531-1547 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..