On Thursday afternoon, a fatal road rage shooting incident occurred on the 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, causing the freeway to be temporarily closed and resulting in heavy traffic during the evening rush hour. Authorities continued their search for the suspect on Friday.
According to the report from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the shooting took place around 4:10 p.m. on Thursday on the northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway just north of Grande Vista Avenue.
In a statement on Friday morning, CHP stated, “Preliminary investigation indicates that a gold Cadillac sedan and a dark SUV may have been involved in this road rage incident.”
Witnesses reported seeing the vehicles involved chasing each other, with the Cadillac rear-ending a separate vehicle. Subsequently, two adult males exited the SUV, armed with firearms, and opened fire on the occupants of the Cadillac. The Cadillac then made a U-turn on the 5 Freeway and traveled against traffic in the northbound lanes. Both occupants in the Cadillac sustained gunshot wounds, with one person succumbing to their injuries on the scene, while the driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Authorities have not yet released any information regarding the identity of the deceased male victim.
The investigation of this incident is being handled by the CHP’s Southern Division Major Crimes Unit. Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the California Highway Patrol Traffic Management Center at 323-259-3200.
In previous reports, a Dodge Durango and a gold Cadillac sedan were traveling on the northbound lanes of the freeway when the Cadillac rear-ended another vehicle. Subsequently, two males exited the Durango and began firing at the two males inside the Cadillac.
At that time, the CHP issued a SigAlert, closing all northbound lanes at the location of the shooting, resulting in significant traffic congestion throughout the afternoon rush hour, with vehicles lining up for miles. All closed lanes reopened around 12:20 a.m. on Friday.