On this day, shortly before noon, an FA-18 fighter jet from Miramar MCAS crashed just three blocks from our house. I heard two loud pops like gunshots, then a dull thump followed by a very large boom. I grabbed my camera and ran outside to investigate.

Later I learned that the jet had plowed through two houses, destroying them instantly. Several other homes were damaged. Four people in one home were killed -- one poor man lost his entire family. A very sad and tragic day. Our prayers go out to the people affected by this tragedy.

Click here to see photos by Ron Belanger, who lives on the other side of the crash site.

Return to Ray’s photo album list