Federal Drug, Weapons Charges Filed In Brazen San Francisco Road Rage Shooting
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A 30-year-old Oakland man, already facing an attempted murder charge in state court, had two federal counts added Friday to the litany of charges stemming from a brazen road rage shooting on San Francisco's Van Ness Ave. in November.
Federal prosecutors said Wilmer Arteaga was charged in U.S. District Court with being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possession of more than 40 grams of fentanyl with the intent to distribute it.
Meanwhile, Arteaga was being held in San Francisco County jai on several charges including attempted murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, being a felon in possession of a firearm and resisting arrest.
On November 9, 2021, at approximately 6:32 p.m., San Francisco police investigators were driving their unmarked police vehicle in the area of Turk and Larkin streets.
They observed the drivers of two vehicles engaged in what appeared to be a road rage argument. The vehicles, an SUV and sedan, stopped at a red light at the intersection of Turk St., and Van Ness Ave.
The SUV reversed into the sedan resulting in a collision. Investigators then observed the driver of the sedan exit his vehicle, produce a firearm and shoot at the SUV.
Both vehicles fled the scene and the investigators broadcast a description of the suspect vehicle via their department radio.
Officers from Tenderloin Station located the suspect and his vehicle on the 700 block of Ellis St.
They exited their vehicle and ordered Arteaga to place his hands on his head, but he did not comply with the officers' commands and began to walk away.
After a brief struggle, Arteaga was subdued and placed into handcuffs. A firearm was found in Arteaga's pocket.
A search of Arteaga's vehicle uncovered a spent shell casing and a large quantity of narcotics including heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and over two and a half pounds of fentanyl.
The federal complaint charges Arteaga with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm which carries a maximum possible statutory sentence of 10 years imprisonment. The second federal charge for possessing with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl carries a maximum possible statutory sentence of 40 years imprisonment.