Police: Freeway Shooter a Repeat Offender

Investigators believe the gunman who blasted birdshot into a Honda on the Harbor Freeway last Thursday is a repeat offender.

They blame him for five shootings in the Carson area since April 18 – two on vehicles on the freeway, two on vehicles travelling surface streets, and one on a female pedestrian who was shot in the arm.

Birdshot, a small pellet meant for hunting game birds, can cause painful, if not life-threatening injuries when fired in a load.

The wave began on April 18 when the woman was struck. In the next three incidents, birdshot struck vehicles without breaking glass or causing injury, and the drivers were not sure what happened until they arrived home.

Three of the attacks occurred in the 2 p.m. hour; the other two in the 8 p.m. hour.

So far, two people have been injured in the shootings – a 21-year-old man driving a Honda on the 110 Freeway being the most severe. Police said his head was grazed by the birdshot, sending him to the hospital for two days.

"It concerns me,” said resident Dennis Johnson. “I try to stay away from that area until they figure out who this idiot is."

Local

Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.

USC 3 hours ago

USC offering online class options amid campus protest

South LA 4 hours ago

Bicyclist killed in rollover crash following police pursuit in South LA

California Highway Patrol responded to the latest freeway case, have teamed up with LA Sheriffs in Carson.

"We had two shootings last week, three in all in Carson,” said Det. Shawn Young, LA Sheriffs Department. “All involving a shotgun, birdshot type of pellets that were striking the vehicles that we're investigating."

No matter his motives, locals said they want this gunman caught.

"We don't need to deal with people taking potshots at poor people trying to make a way,” said resident Jay Jones.

Detectives said some witnesses were able to get a good look at the suspect. They’re looking for a heavy-set Hispanic man in his mid-twenties or early thirties. He was described as having a shaved head and a tattoo on the back of his head.