Woman hospitalized in Hollywood Hills, California road rage shooting

Police are searching for a suspect after a violent road rage shooting left a woman hospitalized in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday.

Officers say the shooting happened during rush hour traffic near Sunset Boulevard and Crescent Heights around 4:24 p.m., according to Los Angeles Police.

When they arrived, they found a woman with a gunshot wound in her shoulder. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Police say the incident began as a road rage encounter that escalated into a shooting.

The victim was riding in a pickup truck with her husband who said the suspect fired one shot in his direction after engaging in a verbal altercation, police said.

The victim’s husband said the suspect had cut him off while driving which led to an argument between the two men. That’s when the suspect allegedly fired his gun, striking the woman in her shoulder.

The victim’s husband drove to a gas station at 8101 W. Sunset Boulevard where he sought emergency help.

The suspect fled the scene. Officers scoured the area for potential leads, seeking security footage and information from local businesses.

Police describe the suspect as a Black male with curly hair and a mustache. He was driving a gray-colored SUV, possibly a Jeep Cherokee.

This incident marks another case in the troubling rise of violent road rage incidents across the U.S. Earlier in January, viral video of a Tesla driver attacking cars on a Glendale freeway prompted authorities to investigate the terrifying encounters.

Officers are reminding drivers to stay calm if a road rage incident arises. If the other driver appears confrontational, avoid engaging with them and stay focused on driving. If safe to do so, note the driver’s make and model of the vehicle along with any license plate information.

Anyone who has information on the case is asked to contact LAPD at 1-877-275-5273.