Eliyanah Crisostomo shooting: I-880 in Fremont closed for hours in search for clues
FREMONT – Authorities closed all lanes of southbound Interstate 880 in Fremont for more than two hours on Tuesday as they searched for evidence in connection with a deadly shooting that killed 5-year-old Eliyanah Crisostomo.
Shortly after 11:30 a.m., the southbound direction of the freeway was closed between Auto Mall Parkway and South Fremont Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol. Lanes were reopened shortly before 2 p.m.
The California Highway Patrol told KPIX that the closure is part of its investigation into the deadly freeway shooting on Saturday evening. A CHP spokesperson said investigators were conducting "a daylight search for evidence" in the case.
Crisostomo died in the shooting. According to a family friend, the girl was traveling with her family to a birthday party at the time.
"Eliyanah was a fun-loving little girl who loved life, had a giving heart, close with her three siblings, especially her brother who were 11 months apart," wrote Jeff McGrew. "Both were so excited for Easter before the family was torn to pieces by this tragic event. Eliyanah would have been 6 on the 21st of April."
UPDATE: Family friend's heartbreaking details of little Eliyanah Crisostomo's tragic death
"Any death is a tragedy, especially when you're looking at a death of a child this close to a holiday, this close to a birthday. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this little girl," said CHP Lieutenant Shawna Pacheco said Monday. "One of our CHP officer was on an unrelated traffic stop and was approached by the victim's family saying their daughter had been shot."
The girl's death has rattled nerves among drivers and parents alike.
"I definitely pray to God nothing should happen to anybody like this, especially with anybody's kid," says Nanda, a parent of a 5-year-old boy who only wanted to share his first name.
The CHP has not yet released a description of the suspect vehicle or the shooter in the case. Meanwhile, the absence of answers has left many parents rattled.
"I would really hope no one would have to go through this kind of trauma at all," Nanda said.
Devin Fehely contributed reporting.
