SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A preliminary hearing is scheduled Thursday for a man accused of wounding a motorist last fall in a freeway shooting spree that stretched from National City to Del Mar.
Enrique Ayon, 25, of Lancaster, is charged with eight counts, including two counts of attempted murder. He faces more than 63 years to life in state prison if convicted.
A judge will decide at the end of the preliminary hearing whether enough evidence was presented for Ayon to stand trial.
The prosecution alleges that Ayon crashed his Chevrolet Malibu through a security gate near the U.S.-Mexico border on the morning of Oct. 3 before launching a "terrifying shooting spree" on northbound Interstate 805 in National City.
Ayon allegedly pointed a gun directly at a motorist, then fired a shot into the rear door of the victim's car. A short time later, he allegedly fired another shot on the same freeway near Mesa College Drive in Serra Mesa, wounding a 26-year-old man in the leg.
Ayon also is accused of firing a round in the area near I-805 and state
Route 163. A few minutes later, he allegedly fired two shots into an ambulance on Interstate 5 near Del Mar.
He was taken into custody the following day in Los Angeles County.
Authorities said none of the victims reported having had any type of contact or communication with the driver of the Malibu before coming under fire. Ayon is believed to have acted alone. The motive remains undetermined.
In addition to attempted murder, Ayon is charged with three counts of shooting at an occupied vehicle and one count each of discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner, hit-and-run driving and vandalism.
