San Jose

Serial Shooter Charged With Attempted Murder For Allegedly Targeting Cars in San Jose

If convicted, Michael Lewis could face life in prison, prosecutors said.

The San Jose man accused of shooting at nearly a dozen cars on a busy roadway was slapped with over a dozen felony charges Friday.

People who live and work along Blossom Hill Road, where the shootings occurred, said they were relieved Michael James Lee Lewis, who has been dubbed the "serial shooter," is off the streets.

In court Friday, the 30-year-old was arraigned on five counts each of attempted murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle and assault with a firearm in addition to one count each of reckless evading and delaying, resisting, and obstructing an officer.

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Kenneth Shapero kept Lewis in jail without bail.

Lewis was handcuffed and stood in a red jail uniform during today's quick hearing at the Hall of Justice in San Jose.

The defendant looked down most of the time and at one point mouthed out the words "help me," toward seven people who were in the audience for him. The group declined to speak with reporters after the arraignment.

Police said at least 10 vehicles have been hit on or near Blossom Hill Road, near Monterey Road. Starting in May, the shootings have occurred around midnight in the normally quiet South San Jose neighborhood. Each time, the vehicles were shot at just once, police said.

Two people have also been wounded in the shootings by shrapnel or flying glass, according to police.

"In one case, the bullet passed through the driver's door and struck the victim in the arm," said Santa Clara's Deputy District Attorney Alexandra Ellis. "We are all fortune that no one was killed."

Police have not yet revealed a motive for Lewis' alleged crime spree or whether he acted alone.

Lewis was arraigned Thursday in connection with a separate case, which involves charges of felony possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition. He did not enter a plea. 

Court documents indicate that Lewis' rap sheet also includes embezzling, driving with a suspended license, and assault and battery.

Lewis is slated to return to court next week to enter a plea. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

"We commend the excellent work of the San Jose Police Department in bringing an end to this four month-long shooting spree," Ellis said.

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