Man accused of firing handgun on 91 Freeway in Riverside is arrested

A Corona man accused of shooting a handgun from a car on the 91 Freeway in Riverside on Saturday night, May 22, was arrested, according to the California Highway Patrol.

At about 10:42 p.m., a Chevrolet Silverado was heading west on the 91 Freeway, east of Adams Street, when gunshots were fired from a nearby burgundy Honda Accord with a driver and passenger inside, the CHP said. The driver of the Chevrolet exited the freeway at McKinley Street for help from the CHP.

The victim said he saw the handgun’s muzzle flash and heard gunshots but did not know if the bullets struck his car, the CHP said. The victim was not able to obtain a license plate on the suspect car.

The suspect’s car was located heading west on the 91 Freeway at Maple Street in Corona and a traffic stop was conducted on the car at Green River Road, the CHP said. A loaded Ruger EC9S 9mm handgun, loose ammunition and one used shell casing were found during a search of the car.

The driver and passenger were taken into custody for questioning and after an investigation, it was determined that the driver, a 32-year-old man from Corona, was responsible for the shooting, according to the CHP.

Information regarding the suspect’s identity was not immediately available.

The preliminary investigation found the incident is not believed to be related to the recent rash of freeway shootings involving both handguns and possible BB or pellet guns, according to Officer Juan Quintero, spokesman for the CHP’s Riverside office.

Any witnesses who may have observed the incident were encouraged to call the CHP at 951 637-8000.

Source: Orange County Register