Sniper on I-5, Knifing Probed at Pendleton

Military police questioned a Camp Pendleton Marine on Saturday after a sniper terrorized motorists on Interstate 5 the night before, firing small-caliber rounds that struck six cars during a half-hour shooting spree, authorities said.

In an unrelated incident at the base, military detectives were also investigating a knife fight Saturday that left one soldier dead and another injured, said Marine Staff Sgt. Kyle Olson.

The slain Marine died at San Clemente Hospital & Medical Center about 2:30 a.m. from his wounds. His name was withheld pending notification of his family, and officials released few details on the confrontation. The injured soldier, whose identity was also being withheld, is considered a suspect in the slaying, authorities said.

Olson said the Naval Criminal Investigative Service will probe both incidents. “[This behavior] is clearly contrary to the values and principles of the Marine Corps, and it won’t be tolerated,� Olson said. “We’re disgusted as anyone would be.�

Olson also said he did not know if an arrest had been made in either incident.

The first Marine was apprehended after the California Highway Patrol received frantic calls from freeway drivers at about 8:40 p.m. Friday. Motorists told dispatchers that passing vehicles were being struck and damaged by something.

“We originally thought that it was someone throwing rocks,� said a CHP dispatcher who declined to give her name. “Then it turned out to be a sniper with all that ammo.�

Small-arms gunfire and possibly rocks or BB-gun pellets struck half a dozen vehicles, said CHP public information officer Teri Reese. No injuries were reported.

CHP officers closed the freeway between the San Clemente Border Patrol checkpoint and California 76 near Mission Avenue about 9:30 p.m. Officers also fanned out to seal off nearby areas where the gunman might be lurking. With the help of military police, they created a perimeter near the Aliso Creek rest area, including parts of Camp Pendleton, Reese said.

About 10 p.m., officials said, a motorist driving near the Red Beach training area was stopped by military police. Officers found weapons--including an unknown quantity of rifles, pistols and ammunition--in the car, the CHP dispatcher said. The freeway was reopened at 10:05 p.m.

Times staff writer Jeff Gottlieb contributed to this report.

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Stretch of I-5 closed for about 45 minutes

Source: USMC