ALBERT JOHNSON / For SignOnSanDiego A man, 25, is stabbed Wednesday night in a Hillcrest strip mall and later dies from his wounds.

SAN DIEGO – A 25-year-old man was stabbed and later died and a teenage boy was critically injured in separate assaults being investigated by San Diego homicide detectives Thursday morning.

The latest incident was reported about 2:30 a.m. by a supermarket security guard who found a man lying wounded outside a neighboring business in a Hillcrest strip mall at 10th and University avenues, said Lt. Terry McManus.

The victim had a puncture wound in his upper chest. He was found outside the Great Earth Vitamins store, which was closed at the time, McManus said.

The guard, who works for the Ralphs in the center, called police.

Paramedics drove the man to a hospital but he died at 3 a.m., McManus said. The man's identity was not released. Investigators said the victim had out-of-state identification and they don't know if he lives in San Diego.

“We have no information to say if he was mugged or the victim of a robbery attempt,” McManus said. “We are hoping to put together a timeline from witness statements to determine what happened.”

Investigators closed part of the strip mall parking lot to conduct their investigation.

Late Wednesday night, investigators had been called to a report of a shooting in Mountain View involving a 17-year-old boy.

Police arrived in the neighborhood, at 37th Street and Ocean View Boulevard, about 10 p.m., shortly after residents called, but found no victim or anyone else at the location.

Witnesses said the boy had been involved with an argument with three boys or young men just south of that intersection, McManus said.

The witnesses reported that a beating took place and the boy walked away from the group heading north on Ocean View Boulevard. About that time, witnesses reported hearing the sound of gunshots, he said.

Fifteen minutes later, a patrol officer was flagged down at 32nd Street and University Avenue – four miles north – by a woman in a white van.

McManus said the woman told the officer, “My brother's been shot and he needs help.”

Paramedics took the boy to a hospital where he was placed on life support, McManus said. An update on his condition was not available.

A witness reported hearing what may have been a gang challenge discussed between the boy and the group but police said a gang connection has not been made.

“We need to determine what the person's definition of a gang challenge is,” McManus said.

Investigators have not been able to talk to the boy, and don't know if he knew his assailants.

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