March 15, 2001

Victim: Ben Clark

Date: March 15, 2001

Address: 4303 Ohio Street

Synopsis: The victim Benjamin Clark was a doorman for the Nite Life Bar on Ohio Street. He was jovial and well-liked by co-workers and customers and was also a large man who usually was able to keep unruly customers in check with his physical presence.

On the morning of March 15, 2001, Benjamin Clark ejected a group of unruly Hispanic male customers from the Nite Life Bar after repeatedly warning them not to touch the dancers. Members of the group threatened to return later with a gun. Clark did not take the threats seriously and continued attending to his duties at the club.

After the bar closed, Clark followed his normal routine of escorting the female bartender out to her car. As they walked outside, Clark spotted someone hiding behind the parked car and walked up first to check it out. At this point a Hispanic male appeared from behind the car, yelled out “I’m going to shoot you punk” and shot Clark multiple times. Clark fell to the ground and died a short time later.

The suspect ran southbound on Ohio Street and eastbound on El Cajon Boulevard. Detectives believe Clark’s murder was a retaliation perpetrated by the men he had ejected earlier from the bar.

San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.