SoCal Freeways Plagued By Dozens Of Pellet/BB Gun Attacks

LOS ANGELES, CA — Nearly 60 cars have been hit by BB or pellet gun fire on Southern California freeways over the past few weeks, including a California Highway Patrol car.

The shootings are spread out between Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties, and with each new attack, concerns intensify that the next one could prove deadly. Investigators have not said if the incidents are connected, but they are becoming so frequent that the CHP issued a warning to drivers with instructions on what to do if targeted by a shooter while driving.

"Advice we would like to give to drivers if they find themselves in a situation where their vehicle window(s) shatter due to a BB gun or maybe a real weapon is: Try to remain calm, check your surroundings and exit the freeway to call 9-1-1," said CHP Officer Amber Wriight. "If you see anything out of the ordinary such as somebody holding an object out of a window or maybe even a car window rolled down on a cold day, make note of it. Relating information to dispatch such as direction of travel, and nearest cross street will be helpful to responding officers. If you are a witness, try to gather as much suspect vehicle information as possible such as make, model, license plate and description of driver."

"We are taking each of these incidents seriously and actively searching for those responsible," CHP Border Division Assistant Chief Donald Goodbrand said. "The public should still feel safe while driving their vehicles on our California freeways."

Police recorded three additional incidents on Wednesday.

At least three additional vehicles were damaged by vandals who shot at them with BB or pellet guns on the Riverside (91) Freeway between Anaheim and Corona, authorities said. And A motorist on the eastbound 91 in Corona told the California Highway Patrol that someone fired a projectile that hit the driver's side window on his sedan at about 11 p.m. Tuesday.

The victim was not injured.

Shortly after 5 a.m. Wednesday, a Toyota Camry sustained damage from a BB or pellet that hit it in the area of the Corona (71) Expressway and the westbound 91. The motorist was not hurt.

At 5:30 a.m., a third car was damaged on the westbound 91 near the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway in Anaheim Hills, according to the CHP. No injuries were reported.

In all, the CHP believes there have been nearly 60 incidents throughout Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties over the past few weeks. No injuries have been reported in any of the attacks.

White vehicles have been spotted in each of the attacks, but no specific descriptions of the cars or suspects have been provided.

CHP Officer Dan Olivas said a vehicle was hit at the 91 and state Route 241 toll road in Anaheim Hills at about 9 a.m. Tuesday. On Monday at about 6:30 p.m., there was another incident at the 91 and Orange (57) Freeway in Anaheim, he said.

At about 9 a.m. Friday, a CHP officer's cruiser sustained a damaged window on the eastbound 91 at the 241, Olivera said.

"An officer was finishing up an enforcement stop and completing notes on the citation when he heard a noise and the back window was shattered. There were big rigs going by at the same time," so it might have been a rock that caused the damage, Olivera said. "We're not sure what shattered the window."

Similar incidents have been reported in Los Angeles County, beginning in April, Olivera said. Many have been in the Westminster area.

Two other suspected acts of violence happened just before 7 a.m. Thursday on the westbound 91 near Norwalk Boulevard, and Wednesday night on the 91 in Cerritos.

On May 10, windows on two vehicles traveling along the eastbound 91 in Corona during the predawn hours were blasted by pellet or BB gun fire.

Two motorists reported shattered windows while driving on the San Diego (405) Freeway in the Seal Beach area on April 27.

Anyone with information about the shootings was asked to call the CHP Border Division Investigative Services Unit at 714-288-6336.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.