Descriptions of shooter and driver provided by victims

By Brandon Correia, Public Information Officer, CHP-Contra Costa

Late last night on Saturday, March 30 just before midnight at 11:57pm, CHP was advised of a possible freeway shooting that occurred on HWY-4 W/B between Franklin Canyon and McEwen Road, just outside of Martinez.

Upon CHP arrival, the victim vehicle, a silver Nissan Maxima, was parked on the right shoulder with two apparent bullet holes in the windshield. The two victims in the Nissan, an adult male driver and an adult female passenger, we’re thankfully not injured and awaiting CHP‘s arrival and were cooperative throughout the entire investigation. The suspect vehicle fled the area.
We have learned through the victims the following; They were traveling on HWY-4 W/B when possibly a newer model white Toyota Corolla (or a similar style vehicle) quickly approached the back of the Nissan, began tailgating them, and then moved to pass on the left side, as the Nissan began to slow.

The victim driver related the passenger of the suspect Toyota began yelling and screaming at them. The male victim then slowed and parked the Nissan on the right shoulder in an attempt to allow the suspect to pass but the suspect vehicle also stopped on the right shoulder & parked in front of the Nissan. Then the male victim related bullets were fired at them from the passenger side window of the suspect Toyota, striking the Nissan windshield. Luckily the male and female victim both ducked below the dash and we’re not injured. Then the suspect vehicle fled the area.
The suspect passenger is described as a white male adult between 35-40 years old, bald, w/ tattoos on his face and right arm. The driver is described as possibly a mixed ethnicity adult male between 30-35 years old, with short black hair.

This incident is still under investigation and we do not have any further details or information to release.
We cannot predict when criminals are going to commit these crimes but what we can do, is a thorough investigation in which you can possibly assist us. We’d like to advise the public of these TIPS if you witness or have information regarding any freeway shooting;
1 – Know which freeway you’re on with your direction of travel, and nearest offramp
2 – Try to get a make, model and color of the suspect vehicle, and a full license plate if possible
3 – Try to get a description of the suspect or suspects, male or female, approximate age, ethnicity, clothing description, identifying marks or tattoos, etc.

If you have any information regarding this incident on HWY-4 from last night, please contact Contra Costa CHP at 925-646-4980. Or you can also call our 24-hr Tip Line at 707-917-4491.

One each from Concord, Pittsburg and Antioch

By CHP-Contra Costa

Recently, three HWY-4 shooting suspects from 2016, were found guilty in a Contra Costa County Courtroom; two suspects received 13 years and the third received 12 years and 8 months in state prison. These were the results after a long and thorough investigation process and additionally long and thorough judicial process until final adjudication.

It takes quite a while for these shooting suspects to be brought to justice and finally sentenced but the effort and long hours are worth it, for the public to know that these criminals were tried and convicted and also for the families of the victims of these freeway shootings.

This specific case occurred on Feb. 1, 2016 and involved the three suspects traveling in a Nissan sedan on westbound HWY-4 when they shot their firearm out of their moving vehicle at the victim’s vehicle, which was all witnessed by an off-duty police officer. Then the suspects’ vehicle drove at a high rate of speed off the freeway to the Port Chicago Hwy off-ramp and subsequently was involved in a major collision within the intersection and caused injuries to all parties involved.

All three suspects were charged and convicted of the following:

-246 PC – Shooting at an occupied vehicle.

-186.22(a) PC – Participation in Criminal Street Gang

-29800 PC – Possession of Firearm by a Felon. (Oscar Torres)

– 11359 H&S – Possession for Sale of Marijuana

SENTENCES
-Zachery Paul Lopez (24 years old from Concord) was sentenced to 12 years and 8 months in State Prison.

-Oscar Osbaldo Torres (25 years old from Pittsburg) was sentenced to 13 years in State Prison.

-Antonio Ramirez Navarro (22 years old from Antioch) was also sentenced to 13 years in State Prison.

Public Safety and the preservation of life is always our #1 goal and although we cannot predict when criminals are going to commit these heinous crimes, what we can do is put together our very best investigation that will bring these criminals to justice and have them answer for their crimes.