PHELAN, Calif. – A convicted felon, who was already behind bars for trespassing and possession of a firearm has been arrested for the freeway shooting that injured a 10-year-old boy.
At around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 7, 2019, shots were fired from one vehicle to another on the 15 freeway northbound. The driver of the vehicle quickly exited the freeway seeking help for an injured 10-year-old boy at the McDonald’s Restaurant located 3230 Wagon Trail Road. The boy suffered an injury to the top of his head after it was grazed by a bullet that was shot through his window. The boy was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and was released from the hospital on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) announced in a press conference on Wednesday that Jose Luis Chavez, 48, of Phelan, was arrested for attempted murder as a result of the shooting. On the same night of the shooting, Chavez was caught trespassing on the property of retired deputy in the 11000 block of Densmar Road in the City of Hesperia. Responding deputies searched the suspect vehicle, which was parked nearby. Inside they located a firearm, now believed to be the one used in the shooting. He was booked into jail for trespassing and being a felon in possession of a firearm/ammunition.
The deputy saw the news coverage on Friday, February 8, 2019, and followed up with the CHP thinking that the incidents may have been related. Investigators made contact with Chavez and conducted an interview. They subsequently served a search warrant at his home where they located other weapons. He was booked for attempted murder for his alleged involvement in the shooting.
Chavez is being held in lieu of $1 million and was scheduled to appear at the Victorville Superior Court on the afternoon Wednesday, February 13, 2019, for an arraignment hearing.
