More apparent BB gun shootings damaged vehicles along the 91 Freeway Thursday, bringing the total number of incidents to more than 60 on that and other Southern California roads over the past three weeks.
Between 5:50 to 6 a.m., officers responded to three incidents in the Corona area alone in the vicinity of the westbound 91 near State Route 71 and Green River Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Two more attacks were reported in the Riverside area later in the morning: one was on the eastbound 91 at Main Street about 9:30 a.m., while the other happened around 10:20 a.m. on the northbound 215 Freeway at Blaine Street.
CHP’s Orange County division is also looking into other possible shootings in Anaheim, one that took place on the 91 near the Magnolia exit and another that occurred on the eastbound 22 Freeway just west of Euclid Street.
Those were just the latest in a string of attacks involving BB or pellet guns that have left dozens of cars and SUVs with damaged or blown out windows in recent weeks. No injuries have been reported.
Most of the incidents have taken place on the 91 between Riverside and Cerritos, but it’s unclear whether the damage was being caused by one or more people.
The series of apparent BB gun shootings has left drivers in the area shaken and feeling on edge, even as CHP has stepped up local patrols in response.
“I’m a little bit nervous because my son drives this freeway every day to go to work. I live right here so it’s my territory,” Wendy McGeown told KTLA.
Also concerning for motorists is that the agency still has not identified a suspect or suspects, nor have they released a suspect description amid the active and ongoing investigation.
“It’s very nerve-wracking to think this is happening and they need to catch somebody,” McGeown said.
With no one in custody yet, some drivers say they are being extra cautious when they drive on the 91 Freeway.
“As I go by anybody, I’m making sure their windows are up. I’m just looking,” David Jenkins said. “I’m looking more, I’m being more aware.”
Some are even avoiding the roadway altogether because of the string of shootings. The owner of a local trucking company told KTLA this week that he is having drivers bypass the 91 and taking side streets to other freeways in an effort to avoid subjecting employees to “something this terrible.”
CHP, meanwhile, continues to ask eyewitnesses to come forward, emphasizing such accounts will be imperative to catching the culprit or culprits. Anyone who sees anything is encouraged to contact investigators, especially those whose vehicles are equipped with a dash cam.
“That is even better,” Officer Dan Olivos tells KTLA of video footage. “That is a great resource that we can utilize.”
