Sheriff's Investigators Arrest 3 In Connection With Temecula Rush Hour Shooting

TEMECULA, CA — Three people have been arrested on suspicion of shooting two people inside their vehicle while stopped on Temecula Parkway nearly two weeks ago, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Southwest Sheriff's Station.

A 16-year-old resident of Pala, whose name was not released, was arrested on suspicion of the shooting, along with two other suspects.

Shawna Harper, a 37-year-old resident of Pala, was arrested Monday at the Southwest Sheriff's Station on suspicion of assisting the suspect and being an accessory to an attempted murder. She was held on $500,000 bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility and was slated to appear in court Wednesday morning.

Alphonso Zavala, a 36-year-old resident of Vista, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of felony weapons violations, including having a short-barreled rifle or shotgun. He was held at the Southwest Detention Center on $50,000 bail and would appear in court Friday at the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center.

The shooting occurred on May 5, during rush hour, as cars were stopped at a red light on Temecula Parkway.

Deputies from the Southwest Sheriff’s Station responded to multiple reports of gunshots in the area of Temecula Parkway and Redhawk Parkway in Temecula, according to Sgt. Joe Narciso.

A 911 caller told operators they had witnessed a man exit a vehicle, believed to be a white van, and shoot into another car, injuring two people inside, according to original reports.

"Both vehicles left the area before deputies arrived, but evidence of a shooting was found, Narcisco said. The location of Redhawk Parkway and Temecula Parkway was closed for several hours as officers combed the scene for evidence.

A short time later, deputies received information that two people had arrived at a local hospital with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds, according to Narciso. Both were later released, he said.

Southwest Sheriff’s Station investigators, in collaboration with surrounding agencies, identified a 16-year-old juvenile from Pala as the primary suspect in the initial shooting incident, Narciso said.

The juvenile suspect surrendered to investigators and was booked into juvenile hall on charges of attempted murder. The Riverside Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau later served search warrants at a home in Pala and another in Vista, arresting Zavala and Harper.

Deputies are still investigating the incident, and the motive for the shooting has not been released. They are urging anyone with information to contact Wesley Martinelli at 951-696-3000. No other information was immediately available.

2 Wounded In Rush Hour Shooting On Busy Southwest RivCo. Thoroughfare