Authorities have identified the two people found slain this week inside a home in Ramona and arrested a 33-year-old man from Escondido on suspicion of first-degree murder, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office said Friday.
What happened
Deputies responded shortly before 9 a.m. Monday to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon involving a firearm at a residence in the 600 block of 11th Street, according to the Sheriff's Office. Inside the home they found Courtney Chandler, 28, and Nicholas McClure, 32, both mortally wounded. The pair were pronounced dead at the scene.
Suspect taken into custody
When patrol personnel arrived, a man was sitting on the front steps of the residence. He was detained, questioned and later arrested, Lt. Juan Marquez said. The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Proffitt of Escondido, was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder.
- Victims: Courtney Chandler, 28; Nicholas McClure, 32
- Location: 600 block of 11th Street, Ramona
- Suspect: Ryan Wesley Proffitt, 33, Escondido
"[Proffitt] called 911 after the shooting and said he'd been in a 'lover's quarrel' with the victims," Deputy District Attorney Miriam Shoval told the court.
Charges and court status
Proffitt pleaded not guilty Thursday to two counts of murder, with a special circumstance allegation that he committed multiple murders, court records show. If prosecutors pursue the special circumstance and he is convicted on all charges, he faces either life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
During the court hearing, Deputy District Attorney Miriam Shoval said Proffitt told investigators he and Chandler were in an open relationship, and that Chandler had begun dating McClure, which allegedly led to jealousy. Shoval said Proffitt told investigators McClure charged at him and that Proffitt shot him three times before turning the gun on Chandler.
Community and next steps
Proffitt remains in custody without bail. The Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killings and has not released additional details about motive beyond the account presented in court. Detectives often ask anyone with information about the incident or who may have been in the area Monday morning to contact the Sheriff's homicide unit.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident | Fatal shooting inside a private residence |
| Date reported | Monday, shortly before 9 a.m. |
| Location | 600 block of 11th Street, Ramona |
| Arrest | Ryan Wesley Proffitt, booked into San Diego Central Jail |
This case brings renewed attention to relationship-related violence in the region and will proceed through the San Diego County courts. Prosecutors and the Sheriff's Office will provide updates as charges advance and more information becomes available.
