Hayward man arrested in connection to Highway 1 shooting investigation
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) -- A 33-year-old Hayward man has been arrested in connection to a shooting along Highway 1 near Watsonville that happened back in May 2023.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office identified the shooting suspect as Raphael Shakur Abdul-Salam.
According to the Sheriff's office, Abdul-Salam was driving erratically on Southbound Highway 1 before a collision happened between the suspect's vehicle and a second vehicle.
Deputies said both vehicles exited the freeway at Freedom Boulevard where Abdul-Salam allegedly fired multiple shots at a car with five people inside.
A man was injured in the shooting and a three-year-old was injured by gunfire and shrapnel according to investigators. Both people survived the shooting.
Investigators said for several months they worked with CHP to identify the suspect in the shooting and the evidence they collected eventually pointed them to Abdul-Salam.
Abdul-Salam is facing attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon charges.
He's booked in the Contra Costa County jail at this time and will soon be booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on the relevant charges.
Driver and juvenile injured during Highway 1 shooting near Watsonville
California Highway Patrol Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said that they are investigating a shooting on southbound Highway 1 at the Freedom Boulevard exit Friday night.
Law officials say that at around 8:40 p.m., they responded to reports of a shooting at the Freedom Boulevard exit on Southbound Highway 1. Investigators say the suspect, driving an Acura MDX, black or dark grey in color (similar to the one in the photo), was driving erratically.
He then caused an accident with another vehicle and both drivers exited the freeway at Freedom Boulevard. The suspect turned his car and fired multiple times at the victim, said investigators.
The victim driver and his juvenile passenger were injured and taken to the hospital. Both were released shortly after, said deputies. The suspect is described as a black male adult with long hair and deputies said that his Acura may have rear-end damage.
Deputies say that a blue Honda Accord was seen near the incident and the driver is believed to be a witness. Detectives want to locate them for an interview.
"The Sheriff’s Office also requests that if anyone has dashcam footage on Highway 1 recorded between 8:20 pm and 9:00 pm on May 26th to please notify deputies at the above phone number as soon as possible," said deputies.
