Reward for tips in 2016 Oceanside cold-case homicide increased to $25,000

Authorities announced an increased reward of $25,000 Wednesday for help in solving a 2016 killing in Oceanside.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on March 22, 2016, patrol officers responding to a report of a shooting found 35-year-old Brandon Keiser lying mortally wounded on a sidewalk in the 400 block of South Freeman Street in his hometown of Oceanside, according to the Oceanside Police Department.

Keiser died before paramedics could take him to a hospital.

He was shot after returning home from buying a pizza at a business on Mission Avenue, less than a half-mile from where he was killed, according to investigators.

Witnesses reported that the shooter or shooters fled in a small, dark- colored four-door sedan, possibly a late-model Dodge Dart.

Previously, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and San Diego County Crime Stoppers posted rewards of $10,000 and $1,000, respectively, for information that can help detectives determine who killed Keiser. The agencies have since raised that bounty by $14,000.

“The increase includes $1,000 from San Diego County Crime Stoppers and a significantly enhanced contribution from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, reflecting a continued commitment to solving this case,” Oceanside police spokesperson Gina Avalos said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or contact it online at sdcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous.