15 freeway shooting suspect arrested; ID’d as Phelan man, 48

PHELAN, Calif. (VVNG.com) – The California Highway Patrol held a press conference this morning to announce the arrest of 48-year-old Jose Luis Chavez, of Phelan, who they identified as the suspect in last Thursday’s freeway shooting that left a 10-year-old boy injured.

CHP officials confirmed that shortly after the shooting, Chavez was arrested in the High Desert area for an unrelated charge.

The shooting happened just after 7:30 pm on the northbound 15 freeway on February 7, 2019, in the Cajon Pass.

About an hour after the shooting, officials said Chavez was arrested in the High Desert for trespassing on a property that happened to belong to two retired San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies.

Officers responded and found Chavez to be in possession ammunition and also located a firearm in his vehicle that was parked nearby. He was subsequently arrested and booked for a felon in possession of a firearm and trespassing but was not initially tied to the freeway shooting.

Officials said the following day, on Friday February 8, the retired deputies contacted the San Bernardino CHP office after watching the broadcasted news conference.

The couple contacted authorities after having a hunch that the suspect arrested on their property might have been connected to the shooting.

“She mentioned that we should probably go interview this individual,” stated Chief Bill Dance.

Taking the retired deputies advice, investigators went back to interview Chavez and determined he was the suspect in the shooting that injured the 10-year-old boy.

“Through interviews and evidence we were able to determine that he was the suspect from our shooting the day before that injured this young man,” stated Dance.

A search warrant served at the suspects residence and located several weapons.

“In addition to the trespassing and weapons charge we added an attempted murder charge on him as well,” stated Dance. Through interviews and evidence we are able to determine that he was the suspect in the shooting that injured a 10-year-old boy.”

The young victim, who was seriously injured is expected to make a full recovery.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the CHP San Bernardino station at 909-383-4247.

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