A woman escaped serious harm Tuesday night from a passing motorist who fired a shot into her vehicle while driving on Highway 99.
The woman was uninjured, though the bullet did pass through her headrest, Turlock Police Lt. Steve Williams said.
The police department is seeking the identity of the shooter.
The shooter was described as a white of Latino man in his 30s. He was clean shaven and had dark hair. The vehicle he was driving was a pearl white Lincoln Aviator, possibly a 2003 to 2005 model.
The incident began shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday on W. Main Street. The woman recalls seeing the suspect’s vehicle driving next to her car as they passed Soderquist Road and then merge behind her as the both drove up the northbound freeway entrance at Main Street.
Once on the freeway, the woman stayed in the slow lane while the Lincoln moved into the middle lane and sped up.
The victim recounted moving into the middle lane and was traveling a short distance behind the Lincoln, when the suspect pulled into the slow lane and applied his brakes.
Williams said the woman passed the Lincoln, which then merged in behind her and began tailgating. The suspect then moved back into the slow lane and sped up until he was even with the woman’s vehicle.
At this point the suspect raised up a handgun and fired one shot at the woman, Williams said.
The bullet entered the right rear passenger window, went through the driver’s headrest and out the driver’s side window.
The suspect sped off as the victim pulled over and called the police.
Police do not believe the shooting was gang-related and that it was more likely an incident of road rage.
Anyone who may have information about the case or the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Turlock Police Department at 668-5550 or Crime Stoppers at 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
The woman was uninjured, though the bullet did pass through her headrest, Turlock Police Lt. Steve Williams said.
The police department is seeking the identity of the shooter.
The shooter was described as a white of Latino man in his 30s. He was clean shaven and had dark hair. The vehicle he was driving was a pearl white Lincoln Aviator, possibly a 2003 to 2005 model.
The incident began shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday on W. Main Street. The woman recalls seeing the suspect’s vehicle driving next to her car as they passed Soderquist Road and then merge behind her as the both drove up the northbound freeway entrance at Main Street.
Once on the freeway, the woman stayed in the slow lane while the Lincoln moved into the middle lane and sped up.
The victim recounted moving into the middle lane and was traveling a short distance behind the Lincoln, when the suspect pulled into the slow lane and applied his brakes.
Williams said the woman passed the Lincoln, which then merged in behind her and began tailgating. The suspect then moved back into the slow lane and sped up until he was even with the woman’s vehicle.
At this point the suspect raised up a handgun and fired one shot at the woman, Williams said.
The bullet entered the right rear passenger window, went through the driver’s headrest and out the driver’s side window.
The suspect sped off as the victim pulled over and called the police.
Police do not believe the shooting was gang-related and that it was more likely an incident of road rage.
Anyone who may have information about the case or the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Turlock Police Department at 668-5550 or Crime Stoppers at 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
