George Podhorsky wore his daughter’s jacket as he spoke to members of the media about his daughter who had been murdered the day before in National City. He mourned the death of his daughter as he sat in the quiet Pacific Beach Christian Church across the road from his apartment. An unidentified attacker shot Hannah Podhorsky as she stood outside a friend’s home at 2:40 a.m. on Feb. 1 on the 700 block of South 42nd Street in National City, according to police. She and a friend were returning from a party. The 16-year old, Mission Bay High School student died at the scene despite the efforts of first-responders. Police are unsure why Podhorsky was murdered and are trying to determine if the shooting was gang-related. According to police, Podhorsky was at a friend’s house with a group of friends. They decided to go to a party several blocks away on West Street. A fight erupted at the party that may have involved up to 20 people, according to San Diego Police Lieutenant Terry McManus. “Whether or not the victim and some of her friends were involved in the fight; we don’t know that for sure,” McManus said. “We do think the victim may have been involved in a fight.” Police said Podhorsky and a friend decided to leave the party and walk back to the home on 42nd street. Shortly after arriving at the home, approximately two Hispanic males suspects approached on foot. “The victim and her friend were out in front of the home on 42nd street and for whatever reason the suspects fired gunshots in their direction and she was struck,” McManus said. “She was the only one struck.” Police don’t know if the victim and the suspect knew each other, or if Podhorsky was even the intended target. But as police investigate Podhorsky’s death, her father grieves. He recounted how his daughter’s life changed after she left the private Christian school and joined Mission Bay High School. “She started to go down the wrong path,” he said. Hannah wanted to be an oceanographer he said. He spoke of his sadness and his anger over how his daughter’s life was cut short. “There shouldn’t be parties for 16-year olds at 2 a.m.,” he said. “There had to be some parents there that knew what was going on.” Hannah, who turned 16 last November, was the middle of five children and had a 19-year old sister, a 17-year old brother and two younger siblings ages six and four. “The youngest two don’t understand what’s happened yet,” George Podhorsky said. Anybody with information related to the shooting can call Crime Stoppers at (888)580-8477, or the San Diego Police department at (619)531-2293. A memorial for Hannah Podhorsky is scheduled for this coming Sunday at the Pacific Beach Christian Church where the family regularly attend services. George Podhorsky is seeking help to cover the cost of the funeral for his daughter. For more information call (858) 483-4504. – Sebastian Ruiz contributed to this story.
