A driver sitting in a disabled car was shot late Monday on the side of the 210 Freeway, according to authorities.
The shooting occurred at about 11 p.m. near the San Bernardino Avenue exit after the victim pulled over to fix a flat tire. Another vehicle approached and gunfire shattered the driver and passenger side windows of the pickup, according to investigators.
The 42-year-old victim underwent surgery and was listed in stable condition.
Police are looking for a newer-model dark red four-door Ford Focus or Chevrolet Cruze with a tinted rear window in connection with the attack.
The freeway was closed for about two-and-a-half hours during the shooting investigation. Lanes reopened at about 2 a.m.
The Redlands Police Department said it's working with the California Highway Patrol to determine if Monday's shooting is connected to other unsolved crimes in the Inland Empire, including at least eight other shootings and two robberies.
"We are looking into this as a possibility that it's related to that series of robberies," said Carl Baker of the Redlands Police Department.
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As word spread of this latest shooting spread, residents grew concerned for their safety.
"There are pockets where I don't feel safe. But that's probably one place I felt safe before, but now will not," resident Mara Dolan said.
"It's very scary, especially here in Redlands," resident Julie Smalling said. "You don't really see that too much in Redlands."
Officials said that if motorists are having mechanical trouble they should stay in their vehicle and call 9-1-1.
"Ideally you'd want to stop in an area that's not isolated, where there are people around or businesses nearby," Baker said. "You wouldn't want to be stopping in the middle of the night."
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