Shooting on I-580 leaves one dead

RICHMOND, CA (KGO) -- The hunt is on for a Bay Area freeway killer. On Tuesday, a suspect opened fire from a moving vehicle - killing one man and injuring the victim's passenger. There was a huge traffic jam that resulted between Bayview Avenue and Regatta Boulevard on Interstate 580 around 4 p.m.

SIGN-UP: Get breaking news sent to you

Police believe there were several drivers who witnessed the murder and they're asking them to help out.

A bullet-riddled-car swerved off I-580, smashed through the bushes, plowed over a fence, and landed on the frontage road in front of U.C. Berkeley's Richmond field station. The security guard told police he couldn't tell how many times the driver was shot because there was too much blood.

"We don't know what the motive is. They're not sure who these people are that pulled up next to them," said Sgt. Bisa French, with the Richmond Police Department.

Police say a red full-sized van pulled up next to them, the passenger stuck a gun out the window and opened fire. The 21-year-old driver of the car, Marcus Russell from Richmond, was hit at least three times and died at the hospital. His 19-year-old female passenger was shot once and is expected to survive. Investigators say there were 12 bullet casings scattered along I-580, near the Bayview exit.

"Most likely it was a semi automatic pistol because most of your revolvers only have a capacity of six rounds. So what the Richmond Police will do is conduct a criminal investigation, look at ballistics and trajectory of the rounds, and attempting to identify the shooters," said Officer. Sam Morgan, from the California Highway Patrol.

"Um, it seems like they're intended victims. It doesn't look like this was a random shooting," said Officer French.

Rush hour traffic was snarled for about an hour on I-580 from the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to I-80.

The CHP was hoping a highway camera overlooking the scene of the shooting would provide video of the suspect vehicle, but they say it was not recording at the time of the incident.

Investigators are asking for the public's help to find a full-size red van that had at least two men inside. The story behind the attack is still unknown, but veteran police officers, hitting the streets, are expecting an active night out.

Any witnesses who may have seen the shooting and murder are being urge to call the CHP or Richmond Police.

       Today's latest headlines | ABC7 News on your phone
Follow us on Twitter | Fan us on Facebook | Get our free widget

Get more East Bay News »

east bay news, alan wang

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•