Man Found Fatally Shot in Sylmar NR14114pv

Sylmar:  CHP officers, responding to reports of a traffic obstruction, discovered a driver apparently shot, sitting in a Mitsubishi on the Roxford Street off ramp of the westbound 210 freeway, this morning, March 14, 2014.

“Preliminary evidence tends to show this is a case of road rage,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division.  “Bullet impacts and glass fragments lead us to think the shooter fired at the victim from the victim’s side of the car.”

The report of the traffic obstruction came around 12:50 AM.  A sheriff deputy arrived first and reported the driver had apparently been shot.  Paramedics took the victim to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The dead driver was a local man in his mid-30s.  “He did not appear to have a criminal record nor to be affiliated with any gang activity,” Lt. Vernon explained.  “It may be he was coming or going to work.”

Detectives will look into other reports of shots fired, reported around 11 PM, near Fenton Street and Tyler Street, about one mile from this crime scene.  Responding LAPD officer found no witness, nor victim in that case.  “Given the 2 hour lapse in time between the two incidents, it’s doubtful they are related, but we’ll have to see,” Vernon said.

Police are asking for anyone who saw the Mitsubishi on the off ramp to call police to help establish a timeline as to how long the victim might have been there before police arrived.

CHP closed the westbound 210 freeway for about 1 hour while detectives walked the freeway from the crime scene to the Polk Street exit, looking for evidence of the shooting.  The freeway was reopened by about 4:15 AM, in time for the morning rush.

Anyone with information is urged to call Det. Gretchen Schultz, at (818) 838-9951.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "web tips" and follow the prompts.