Sketches of Road Rage Shooter Released

Authorities Wednesday released composite drawings of a man wanted in a car-to-car shooting in Arleta that police say was a motivated by road rage.

The shooting occurred just after 3 p.m. Saturday on Branford Avenue as the victim's red Kia and the suspect's gray late model Dodge Challenger passed under the Golden State (5) Freeway, said Lt. Paul Vernon of the Los Angeles Police Department's Mission Detective Division.

Richard Eduardo Ruiz, 22, of North Hollywood, died at a hospital about two hours later, said coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter.

Two passengers in the car with Ruiz were not injured and have told investigators the shooter was a Hispanic man with green eyes, Vernon said.

"The sketches are similar, described separately to an artist, by the two passengers in the Kia," Vernon said.

Earlier, detectives had released a picture of the two cars that was taken by a surveillance camera.

"A camera in the area captured the gray Challenger passing the victim's red Kia on Branford Avenue, just moments before the fatal shot occurred," Vernon said.

"With the car's detailed description and the distinct eye color of the suspect, these clues go beyond the typical general descriptors, so we hope they will generate some good leads," Vernon said.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call LAPD homicide Detective Ryan Verna at (818) 838-9976. Anonymous tips may be made to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or placed online at www.LAPDOnline.org.

--From City News Service