Violent Road Rage On I-215: Man Shot In Hand After Making 'Hand Gesture' At Another Driver, CHP Says

MURRIETA, CA – A road rage incident turned violent when a man shot another man in the hand as the two were exchanging "hand gestures" in anger on the 215 freeway near Murrieta, the California Highway Patrol reports. The incident allegedly happened around 9:49 p.m. on the southbound side of the interstate near Newport Road.

CHP Officer Mike Lassig says a 50-year-old man from Perris was on the freeway, right behind a 39-year old from Highland. Apparently frustrated with the slower driver in the faster lane, the Perris man used his high beams to signal the driver to move to the side so he could pass him. The man apparently moved over, but that's when things allegedly escalated.

"The victim and the suspect exchanged hand gestures while driving in their respective vehicles, then the suspect raised a dark colored object which resembled a gun and the victim heard three shots, then saw blood spatter in his vehicle," Lassig said in a news release.

The victim, who was not identified, managed to pull to the side to allow the other driver to move ahead, Lassig said. He called 911 and identified the suspect vehicle as a 2002 Toyota Sequoia and provided the license plate information to a dispatcher.

"The victim followed the suspect vehicle off the freeway at Clinton Keith Road and observed the suspect vehicle re-enter the I-215 southbound freeway on-ramp," Lassig said. "Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputies were able to quickly locate the suspect vehicle and conduct an enforcement stop."

The suspect, identified as Eddie Robert Island, Jr., was ultimately taken into custody at 10:o5 p.m. in the area of the 215 and Murrieta Hot Springs Road, according to jail booking records. He was taken to the Southwest Detention Center and booked on several felony charges including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He remained jailed as of Monday afternoon on no bail.

A passenger in Island's car was also arrested in the case. She was identified as 26-year-old Shaunna O'Brien of Rialto and was also booked on attempted murder and assault charges, records indicate. She was being held at the Banning jail on $1 million bail as of Monday, records indicated.

The victim was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar for treatment of a gunshot to his left hand. He's expected to make a full recovery.

San Bernardino County Superior Court records show that Island has several prior drug- and firearms-related convictions. O'Brien has no documented prior felony convictions.

Lassig urged drivers to avoid confrontations on roadways and to "... go above and beyond to get to your destination safely."

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has more information is asked to call the California Highway Patrol's Temecula Area office at (951) 506-2000.

SEE ALSO:

• CHP: Parents Attacked by Bat-Wielding Assailant in Road Rage Incident As Kids Watch
• Heart-Stopping Road Rage Chain Reaction Crash: Dashboard Camera

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Jail booking photos of Eddie Robert Island, Jr., left, and Heather Shaunna O’Brien, right; Courtesy of Riverside County Sheriff's Department / Shutterstock Image background