Pair charged with attempted murder in shooting on Highway 880 in Hayward
Two people are facing multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, following a shooting that took place on Interstate Highway 880 in the East Bay earlier this month.
Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price's office announced Wednesday that 22-year-old Elias Nathaniel Jimenez and 43-year-old Maria Rosalia Martinez were charged in connection with the Aug. 6 shooting on I-880 in Hayward.
The California Highway Patrol said officers responded at 7:49 p.m. to a car fire on northbound 880 blocking lanes of traffic north of Washington Avenue. The officers arrived to find the vehicle fully engulfed at the center divider.
The driver told officers another vehicle had pulled next to her and an occupant fired a shot at her vehicle, which caused her to crash into the center median, the CHP said.
The bullet did not hit the driver, but both she and the child in the vehicle with her were injured slightly in the crash and treated at a local hospital, the CHP said.
CHP investigators identified the suspect vehicle using nearby surveillance cameras, and further investigation determined the suspects' identities as Jimenez and Martinez, both Hayward residents, the CHP said.
On August 15, CHP detectives and SWAT officers conducted a raid at Jimenez and Martinez's home and both were taken into custody without incident. The CHP said the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting was found during the search.
"The charges, which include enhancements, reflect the seriousness of these alleged crimes and my commitment to hold those accountable who use guns in our community for such senseless and violent acts," Price said.
Jimenez and Martinez are facing multiple charges, including one count of attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, shooting at an unoccupied motor vehicle and possession of a large-capacity magazine. Prosecutors have also charged Jimenez with special allegations of use of a firearm and loaded-unregistered firearm.
Prosecutors said Jimenez faces a maximum of 23 years and nine months in state prison if convicted, while Martinez faces a maximum of 13 years and two months.
The pair are scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing on Aug. 27.