UC Berkeley basketball legend Gene Ransom is believed to be the victim killed in a highway shooting in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, per multiple reports.
On Saturday, the California Highway Patrol’s Oakland division announced that Juan Angel Garcia, 25, of San Francisco,had been arrestedfor the crime.
Garcia is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, per his inmate record.
The CHP said the incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time on Friday on the northbound side of I-880 north of Oak Street. The victim, believed to be Ransom, was allegedly traveling on Garcia’s left side when the suspect fired a gun at the victim’s black Honda Civic.
The victim veered right and collided with a guardrail before coming to a stop, per Saturday’s statement. Meanwhile, Garcia “immediately fled the scene” of the crime.
Responding officers pronounced the victim dead at the scene, the CHP said. He is believed to have been the only person inside the Honda during the shooting.
“We are shocked to hear the reports that Cal Athletics Hall of Famer Gene Ransom has been identified as a victim in a deadly freeway shooting,” the statement said. “Our thoughts are with Gene’s family and friends for this tragic loss. Gene was one of the greatest players in our men’s basketball program’s history, and he will be greatly missed.”
At Cal, Ransom averaged 14.8 points per game (1,185 points total) in over 80 contests between 1975 and 1978,Sports Illustratedreports. He averaged 17 points per game during his third and final season with the team.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact the CHP Investigation Tip Line at (707) 917-4491.
source: people.com
