Man Shoots Motorist Who Drove Him from Temecula to Pauma Valley

A carjacker with a tattooed face shot a man who had driven him from Temecula to Pauma Valley early Monday and took off in his car but abandoned it a short time later and fled.

The 46-year-old victim met the suspect in Temecula and was giving him ride to Valley Center when he pulled a gun and ordered the driver to pull over on state Route 76 near Cole Grade Road shortly after 1 a.m., sheriff’s Sgt. Jeff Lauhon said. A struggle over the gun ensued.

The victim got out and attempted to run away, but the suspect shot him once in his leg, Lauhon said.

The suspect drove off in the victim’s vehicle, which was recovered nearby a short time later, Lauhon said.

Sheriff’s officials described the suspect as Indian, in his mid-20s, with short hair and a tattoo on the side of his face,

Anyone with additional information was asked to call the sheriff’s department at (858) 565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

--City News Service, image via shutterstock