Beloved 88-year-old veterinarian killed confronting intruder, California police say

A beloved 88-year-old veterinarian died after apparently interrupting a burglary at his San Diego clinic, California police reported.

Officers found Dr. Clark Kelly with a head injury inside his clinic in the Rolando neighborhood at 3:29 p..m. Wednesday, June 15, San Diego police said in a news release. He died an hour later at a hospital.

Police arrested Patrick O’Brien, 37, of San Diego on suspicion of murder, the release said.

O’Brien entered a plea of not guilty to the charges Monday, June 20, KGTV reported.

A “concerned citizen” had detained O’Brien outside the El Cajon Boulevard clinic.

“At this time, it appears the victim interrupted a possible burglary to the veterinary clinic and a confrontation ensued between the suspect and the elderly victim,” police said.

Kelly, who ran the Boulevard Animal Clinic, was remembered as “a great figure in the neighborhood,” KNSD reported.

“You were a special beacon of light to our community,” read one tribute at a growing memorial to Kelly outside his clinic, according to KFMB.

“Thank you, Dr. Kelly,” read another. “Rest in Peace..”

“He was somebody we could come to,” Joseph Mendez, a 30-year customer, told KNSD. ”He worked with you, he wasn’t greedy. He was a wonderful, wonderful man and we’ve lost a very good person.”

This story was originally published June 20, 2022 at 11:53 AM with the headline "Beloved 88-year-old veterinarian killed confronting intruder, California police say."