California

Mother of Four Killed, Man Injured in Shooting, Car Crash on Highway 4 in Pittsburg: Police

A mother of four was killed, and a man was injured when someone in a white car on westbound Highway 4 Wednesday opened fire on them, forcing the victims’ vehicle to crash, police said.

According to Pittsburg police Captain Ron Raman, officers responded to reports of a traffic collision near Railroad Avenue just before 11 a.m. The victims’ four-door sedan rammed into a dirt embankment and rolled over after the shooting, he said.

PREGNANT MOM. JPG
Courtesy of Shanique's family, (Uncle) Patrick Johnson
25 year old Shanique Marie was shot and killed on Highway 4 in Pittsburgh on May 11, 2016.

The man and woman were hurt by the gunshots and subsequent car crash, Raman said. The woman was pronounced dead at an area hospital while the man is expected to survive. It was initially reported she was pregnant, but an autopsy completed by the Contra Costa County coroner determined she was not.

"This appears to be a targeted shooting," Raman said, noting that the circumstances leading up to the incident are being investigated.

Although police are not releasing the name of the victim, NBC Bay Area spoke with the uncle of 25-year-old Shanique Marie as he left the police department.

Patrick Johnson pleaded with witnesses to come forward with any information that may have.

"All I have to say is somebody on that highway [saw] something," Johnson said. "Please come forward. She has four kids — four kids!"

Although police initially reported that a woman was driving, Raman clarified that it remains unclear who was behind the wheel. Police have not yet provided a description of the suspect. 

A pregnant woman was killed and a man injured when someone in a white car on westbound Highway 4 Wednesday opened fire on them, forcing the victims’ vehicle to crash, police said. Pete Suratos reports.

According to the California Highway Patrol, all westbound lanes of Highway 4 were closed at Loveridge Road.

Raman said the Pittsburg Police Department is working with the CHP to "increase safety on Highway 4" and will be seeking the City Council’s permission to "[install] traffic cameras to monitor traffic." The next council meeting is scheduled on May 16.

"We're definitely concerned about the shootings not only in our city, but also in our country," Raman said.

There have been nearly 20 shootings on highways and freeways around the East Bay since November.

"This is a young lady gunned down like she was nothing," Johnson said. "Somebody [saw] something. Please come forward."

People with information about the shooting are asked to call Pittsburg police at (925) 646-2441.

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