SWR Freeway Shooting: Truck Hit Multiple Times, Suspect Sought

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — California Highway Patrol officers from the Temecula area are asking for the public's help in finding whomever is responsible for a freeway shooting over the weekend, possibly linked to a case of road rage.

The shooting, which appears to be random in nature at this time, happened around 5:15 p.m. Sunday on the southbound side of Interstate 15, just south of Diamond Drive, according to CHP Officer Mike Lassig.

A 19-year-old man was driving a 2001 white Ford Ranger pickup truck in the slow lane when he was shot at, according to Lassig. There was a woman, also 19, in the truck at the time, as well.

The shooter fired from what authorities believe was a 2001 black Chevrolet SUV of some sort, according to Lassig. "Physical evidence" collected at the scene and on the truck confirmed that the Ranger was hit "multiple times."

Lassig said the CHP is investigating the case as a possible road rage incident, as they are looking into "whether the victim inadvertently lane changed in front of the suspect."

"It does not appear that these two individuals knew each other," he told Patch.

The two people in the truck were not hit, nor were they injured, according to Lassig. They pulled over and called 911 following the shooting.

At this time, there is no additional information on the suspect vehicle, but police think there were two people inside.

Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or witnessed the shooting is asked to call the CHP Temecula Area at 951-506-2000 and ask for Officer Tim Fenton.