Re-Enactment Film to Aid Probe of Huffman’s Death

San Diego homicide investigators, baffled by the killing last week of actor David Huffman, continue to appeal to the public for information about the circumstances surrounding the actor’s death.

Police said Monday that they had received three tips Friday from people who said they saw Huffman come to a quick stop in his van in Balboa Park and run toward Palm Canyon less than an hour before his body was found there. The tips were used to construct a Crime Stoppers re-enactment of Huffman’s killing.

Detectives hope that the re-enactment will remind others of things they may have seen in the park last Wednesday about 12:30 p.m., Sgt. Ted Armijo said.

All major San Diego television stations said the re-enactment would be aired this week and would continue for several days.

“A lot of people . . . see something happen and don’t put one and two together,” Armijo said. “When they see the re-enactment they may call in.”

Detectives received another tip from a person described only as being a “citizen from the City of San Diego” which Armijo said could prove significant.

Huffman, 40, was slain shortly after he left Balboa Park’s Old Globe Theatre, where he was starring in a production of “Of Mice and Men.” His body was found by a group of schoolchildren at 1:09 p.m. near a chain-link fence at the end of the canyon.

Police believe Huffman may have run into the canyon to help someone under attack, Armijo said. He may have chased the attacker to the fence and been stabbed during the confrontation. However, police have received no information to substantiate this theory.

Those who reported seeing Huffman heading toward the canyon told police that he did not yell to anyone and that they did not see anyone he may have been chasing. In fact, Armijo said, they reported that he was not running full speed but did appear to be in a hurry.

The area is heavily traveled by transients, Armijo said, and police are questioning as many of them as possible. They have also questioned tourists and others who were in the park.

The Old Globe Theatre has announced a special performance of “Of Mice and Men” at 7 p.m. Sunday to benefit Huffman’s widow and two sons. Actor Philip Reeves will replace Huffman in the role of George.

As a result of Huffman’s death, the theater has hired two extra security guards--making a total of three--to patrol parking lots around the theater.