Update: Alleged Freeway Shooter Pleads Not Guilty to Attempted Murder

Updated at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

A 24-year-old man accused in a series of random freeway shootings that left one motorist wounded and pierced the bodies of several moving vehicles from National City to Del Mar pleaded not guilty today to eight charges, including two counts of attempted murder.

Enrique Ayon, was ordered held on $2 million bail.

Deputy District Attorney Chris Moon, arguing for the bail amount that was set, told Judge David Szumowski that Ayon—a resident of Lancaster in Los Angeles County—was a threat to public safety and had shown disregard for human life.

Authorities believe Ayon acted alone, although a motive was not known.
Moon alleged that Ayon crashed his Chevrolet Malibu through a security gate near the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday morning before starting the "terrifying shooting spree'' on northbound Interstate 805 in National City.

Ayon allegedly pointed a gun directly at a motorist, then fired a shot into the rear door of the victim's car. A short time later, he fired another shot on the same freeway near Mesa College Drive in Serra Mesa, wounding a 26-year-old man in the leg, the prosecutor alleged.

Ayon also is accused of firing a round in the area near I-805 and state Route 163, where two California Highway Patrol officers were assisting a motorist, Moon said. A few minutes later, Ayon allegedly fired two shots into an ambulance on Interstate 5 near Del Mar, the prosecutor said.

No one else was injured, and Ayon was captured the following day in Los Angeles County.

Police said none of the victims reported having had any type of contact or communication with the driver of the Malibu before coming under fire.

In addition to attempted murder, Ayon is charged with three counts of shooting at an occupied vehicle and one count each of discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner, hit-and-run driving and vandalism. He faces more than 63 years to life in state prison if convicted.

A status conference was set for Oct. 13 and a preliminary hearing for Oct. 20.

--City News Service