Pastor Felipe Ascencio Obituary, Death; – A community in San Diego County is grieving the death of Pastor Felipe Ascencio, who was shot and killed in his residence. Ascencio, a father of two, served as the pastor of Templo Monte Horeb located in Ramona, California.

According to a press release from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, officers responded to a call on Sunday, September 7, at approximately 2:30 p.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered that Ascencio had sustained a gunshot wound.

Despite the officers’ efforts to contact emergency medical services, Ascencio unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead at the scene.
Homicide detectives have identified Joel Martin Dukes III, aged 22, as the suspected shooter. Dukes has been taken into custody on murder charges. The sheriff’s office has stated that the investigation is still in progress, noting, “At this stage of the investigation, the motivation and circumstances of the crime are still under investigation.”

“The San Diego Sheriff’s Office extends our sympathies to the Ascencio family and all those affected by this tragic event,” the press release stated. “Based on the information gathered thus far, this appears to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community.”

In the wake of Ascencio’s passing, members of the community are remembering him as a paternal figure.

“It was hard to believe for a moment,” Miguel Hernandez, a long-time church member, shared with KGTV. “Even on Wednesday, we held church, and we were still hoping he would walk in and greet everyone.”

Jesus Flores, who grew up attending Templo Monte Horeb, remarked about Ascencio, “He truly saw value in me when no one else did.”
Francisco Tomas, another long-time friend, expressed, “To me, he was more than just a pastor. He was a father, an uncle, a friend, and a mentor.