A suspect opened fire on a car carrying a couple and their dog in Emerald Hills Thursday night, shooting the driver in what appears to be a "totally random act," according to San Diego police.
SDPD Lt. Steve Shaw said a 62-year-old woman was driving westbound in the 5800 block of Market Street just before 8 p.m. Riding with her were her 60-year-old husband and the pet.
On the north sidewalk stood a man wearing all black clothing. As the car passed by, the suspect fired at least seven rounds into the vehicle.
"It looks like about seven or eight of those shots actually struck the victim's vehicle," said Shaw.
One bullet struck the woman in her left foot, and she was taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The man and the dog were not hurt.
The suspect was seen running north into a canyon area nearby. Police called out K9 units, the SDPD helicopter and officers on the ground, but their search turned up no one.
The shooting does not appear to be gang-related, according to Shaw.
"Quite frankly, at this point, it appears to be a totally random act," he said.
Investigators are hoping to talk to the woman to see if she's had any disputes that would prompt the shooting. They are also looking for surveillance video and witnesses who may be able to give a better description of the suspect.
For now, the motive for the shooting remains unknown. As of Friday morning, no arrests had been made in this case.
NBC 7 spoke to a couple who live near the site of the shooting. The husband said he had just left a nearby liquor store when he heard at least seven gunshots ring out. He said he immediately took his kids inside.
The couple told NBC 7 they’re extremely worried having a gunman on the loose, especially since the police search for the suspect was in the canyon near their home.
NBC 7 spoke with the owner of a nearby liquor store that captured some grainy surveillance video of the shooting. In the clip, a shadowy figure can be seen near the intersection of Market and Radio streets.
The victim’s black SUV then drives by, turns on its emergency lights and slows down in the middle of the street. The clip also shows people walking near the intersection suddenly take off running scared.
One couple can be seen running toward the liquor store, holding on to each other and ducking. Then the suspect can be seen running toward the canyon.
The SDPD said the surveillance video may be released to the media at a later time.
NBC 7 also spoke to Steven Gray, a local barber shop owner who helped the driver who was shot.
Gray said he brought the victim into his shop and helped calm her down while they waited for paramedics to arrive. He said the victim sustained a gunshot wound to her ankle and cuts to her face from the glass in her car shattering.
