Shooting on NB 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights leaves 1 dead, 1 injured

BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A deadly shooting shut down the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights Thursday and caused a miles-long traffic backup that lasted into the evening.

The shooting was reported around 4:11 p.m. on the northbound 5 near Lorena Street, according to the California Highway Patrol. One person was fatally shot and another was hospitalized in unknown condition, authorities said.

CHP Lt. Bob Purvis said the shooting stemmed from a road-rage incident between the occupants of a gold-colored Cadillac sedan and a dark-colored Dodge Durango vehicle.

After the initial road-rage incident, the Cadillac and the Durango were seen chasing each other before the Cadillac rear-ended another car, CHP said. That's when the suspects exited the Durango and opened fire on the Cadillac, Purvis said.

The Cadillac driver turned around, went the wrong way up the freeway to escape and collided with other cars, Purvis said.

The passenger was shot multiple times and died, according to CHP. The driver of the Cadillac was taken to a hospital and underwent surgery.

Following the shooting, a white sheet was placed on the passenger side of the Cadillac, which was facing the wrong way next to the center divider.

CHP said the agency is searching for two suspects who fled the scene in the Durango.

At least one other car at the scene also appeared to have its rear window shattered, but only the Cadillac and Durango vehicles were involved in the road-rage and shooting incidents.

Traffic was diverted to the Calzona Street off-ramp. All northbound lanes have since reopened.

Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities.

City News Service contributed to this report.