Arrest made in Highway 24 shooting in Oakland near Highway 13, CHP says
By Carlos E. Castañeda
An Oakland man is in custody, accused of shooting at vehicles along Highway 24 in Oakland on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
The shooting occurred on eastbound Highway 24 west of Old Tunnel Road at around 3:45 p.m. The California Highway Patrol said one victim’s vehicle was struck by gunfire that came from a passing vehicle. Another victim contacted authorities when they arrived home and reported that their vehicle had also been shot.
The suspect, later identified as Carlos Ray Thomas, 57, was arrested after the CHP said he crashed into the center divide on southbound Interstate 680 near Olympic Boulevard in Walnut Creek and attempted to run away. The CHP said the firearm used in the shooting was also recovered.
Thomas was booked into the Santa Rita Jail and faces charges including attempted murder and shooting from a vehicle.
There was no immediate word on any other suspects or any possible injuries.
The shooting and subsequent investigation caused a massive traffic backup. As of 6:30 p.m., eastbound Highway 24 in Oakland was backed up past the Interstate Highway 580 interchange, and northbound Highway 13 was backed to Joaquin Miller Road. All Highway 24 lanes reopened shortly after 7 p.m.
