Man shot in freeway shooting, police seek shooter
REDLANDS – Police are investigating another freeway shooting in which a 42-year-old man, shot while changing a tire, wound up undergoing surgery after the Monday night incident.
Reports are that the victim, driving a white Toyota pickup, was approached by another motorist while changing a tire. At least one shot was fired from the other car, which injured the victim at 10:36 p.m., according to reports.
Redlands police received a call before 11 p.m. from the California Highway Patrol that the shooting had taken place in the westbound side of the 210 freeway, near San Bernardino Ave.
The victim was treated by Redlands Fire Department paramedics and taken to a local hospital where he underwent surgery. Reported stable, the extent of the victim’s injuries is unknown, according to Redlands police spokesman Carl Baker.
Investigators are checking the possibility that the shooting might be related to similar incidents that have taken place since mid-September.
“There have been a series of freeway shootings and robberies,” he said, “in the region that the CHP is investigating. We don’t know if this one is related to those. We are working with the CHP on that.”
Baker, who did not reveal the victim’s identity, said he couldn’t comment on other shootings since they were out of Redlands’ police jurisdiction.
CHP investigators in the San Bernardino division are looking into a series of shootings that have occurred in the area, the first of which occurred on Sept. 15.
Redlands police is looking for a maroon or dark red 4-door 2010 Ford Focus or Chevrolet Cruze with a tinted rear window. Baker said, “There is no description of the driver and we aren’t going to comment on information from the victim.”
Investigators closed that side of the freeway for two-and-a-half hours, reopening that portion at nearly 2 a.m.
It was not clear why the victim was stopped at the side of the freeway or what words, if any, were exchanged between the shooter and the victim. The windows from both sides of the white Toyota were shattered.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Rob Williams (909-798-7688), Detective Frank Rocha at (909-798-7580) or Redlands Police Dispatch at (909-798-7681).
Read more:
Mercury News, CHP says freeway shooting not linked to holdups
LA Times, Man shot on side of freeway in Redlands
Patch.com, Freeway shooters target stranded drivers
