Farmers Branch Road Rage Shooting Lands Victim In Hospital
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FARMERS BRANCH (CBS11) — A case of road rage sends one driver to the hospital after being shot in the back from a passing car.
It happened overnight in Farmers Branch on Stemmons Service Road right next to I-35E. Now some who drive that route often are thinking twice about other drivers on the road.
It isn't clear what prompted the suspect to pull up next to an SUV in the northbound lanes of Stemmons Service Road and open fire on the people inside. Police are calling this road rage, but beyond that, the motive, like the identity of the shooter, is a mystery.
Of the four people inside the victims' SUV, only the driver was shot. A bullet hit him in the back. That driver and his passengers all told police a dark-colored sedan, possibly a Nissan or Lexus, pulled up next to them and opened fire.
The seemingly random nature of the shooting has other drivers worried they could be next.
"That could happen to anyone," said Kimberly Young, who often drives in the area of the shooting. "I mean it's sad that we're living in a day and time where we have to worry about everything."
The gunshot victim was taken to Parkland Hospital. At last check he was listed in serious condition, but he was able to talk to investigators. Police say there is nothing to indicate the victims knew the suspect.
The Department of Motor Vehicles says road rage is a growing problem. Experts say to back off if you encounter an aggressive driver, but it isn't clear in this case if that was even possible. That leaves drivers like Young with a helpless feeling.
"There's pretty much nothing you can do," Young said. "I mean you can't get in another person's thought process. Like I said, it's very heartbreaking."
The suspect vehicle was last seen heading north on Stemmons Service Road. Investigators are hoping area surveillance video may help them track down the shooter.
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