Details Released After Driver Shot In Unincorporated Murrieta's La Cresta Community

The investigation began at 3:27 p.m. Thursday after deputies were dispatched to the area of Clinton Keith Road and Palomar Street in Wildomar regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. The area is a few miles west of La Cresta.

"Upon arrival, deputies located a victim with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound who was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. During the investigation, deputies learned the shooting occurred while the victim was driving in the La Cresta area," Vickers said in an emailed statement.

It's not clear why the victim drove to Wildomar, but La Cresta can have spotty cellphone service.

In speaking with the victim, deputies got a vehicle description and, with assistance from the sheriff’s K9 Unit, found the suspect, later identified as Gay, according to Vickers.

Witnesses reported heavy police activity in the nearby Renaissance Plaza shopping center in Wildomar and a white vehicle that appeared to be undergoing a search. It's unclear who the vehicle belonged to.

The sheriff's department confirmed that "there was no evidence located to indicate a shooting occurred in the shopping center."

Jail records show Gay's arrest took place on Vista Del Bosque, a residential street in the La Cresta community.

The victim's identity was not released. The motive behind the violence remains under investigation.

Gay has been cited for traffic violations in Riverside County but has no criminal history, county court records show. Two of his traffic cases remain active, including a speeding ticket and a citation for failure to provide proof of insurance. He was previously twice convicted of speeding.