CHP warning drivers about snipers on Inland Empire freeways

The California Highway Patrol is warning motorists along freeways in Riverside and San Bernardino counties to be cautious in the wake of dozens of instances in which someone fired projectiles, possibly pellets or BBs, at moving vehicles, shattering windows and drivers’ nerves.

To date, more than 50 vehicles have been hit, mostly along the 10, 15, 91 and 215 freeways, CHP officials said. The result usually has been blown-out back windows. No one is known to have been injured, said CHP Officer Maurice Walker.

Whoever is behind the attacks appears to be firing pellets or BBs, said CHP Officer Scott Beauchene. The attacks, which have occurred during the last several weeks, have targeted many kinds of vehicles at widely dispersed sites and at different times of day, officials said.

The varying pattern makes it unlikely that projectiles have been fired from freeway overpasses, the CHP said.

“We think this is happening from a vehicle,” Beauchene said.

The most recent attacks occurred Friday along Interstate 10 just west of Beaumont, Beauchene said. Two vehicles were struck in the eastbound lanes in the morning, and a third was hit in the afternoon in westbound traffic, he said. All were struck in the rear windows.

“No one has really seen anything,” Beauchene said. “Obviously, somebody is targeting these vehicles on the freeway. I guess you could call it a sniper.”

Authorities urged motorists whose vehicles are hit to pull over to a safe spot and call 911. The CHP also asked drivers to note as much information as possible about where the incident occurred and any vehicles they may have seen at the time and report those details to police.

-- Patrick J. McDonnell

Comments

[Jesse]

They're not "snipers" so quit trying to generate false panic! They're kids with pellet guns! Snipers are military marksmen who can kill a target at 1,000 yards and beyond. Typical "scare the public" reporting.

[EEH]

I love that the headline calls the individual a "Sniper", but then says they are probably shooting pellets or BB's.

While pellets and BB's can be dangerous (and I in no way condone what this moron is doing), I would hardly call them a "Sniper" if they are not even using an actual firearm.

You could do the same amount of damage with a slingshot. Stop over-sensationalizing.

[AM]

Camping sniper noobs.

[ray]

More than 50 cars and counting have been hit !!! Where are the cops??? Probably duck and cover...

[Chris]

Okay, the natural assumption is it's kids/punks. If anyone is killed from these pranks, they should get the death penalty.

[guest]

Can they get the finger prints out of this to find out who is/are doing this before they kills or injure anybody like children on the back seat?

[Edge]

Haven't people got anything better to do? Seriously! Get a freakin life already.

[JS]

Chris, seriously, the death penalty? I'm sure you never did anything reckless. I'm not condoning their behavior but give me a break. You comments are almost as bad as the L.A. Times irresponsible use of the word 'sniper'. That word us used to strike fear into people and just because someone at the CHP is idiotic enough to use that word in response to a BB gun doesn't mean the L.A. Times should be too.

[AreYouHighOrWhat]

Yet another reason to visit California (LOL)

If I knew then, what I know now, I wouldn't have bothered to comply with the apple maggot quarantine b.s. for all those years, why should visitors care about your state more than it's natives? You paved paradise and put up a parking lot, and, well, the place is pretty icky now. ;0)

[Ed M.]

This is not "doing something reckless." This is doing something that could kill someone, as one reader noted, possibly a child in the backseat. Imagine you have a newborn in your backseat, where babies must be placed as required by law. Now do you understand why Chris says these people should get the death penalty? They should at least be brought up on attempted murder charges.

[chevy1972impala]

the cops only want to solve the easy case's now the people must act to find these people who are doing this & hand them over to the police or the job will not get done. hope nobody got hurt.