Suspected gunman, getaway driver arrested in car-to-car shooting on freeway overpass
Police nabbed the suspected gunman, as well as his alleged getaway driver, in the car-to-car shooting reported on a busy freeway overpass Monday night that left one man injured, authorities said.
Joseph Lupercio, 24, was arrested Tuesday morning on suspicion of attempted murder after SWAT officers surrounded his Sylmar home, blocking his attempt to flee, according to Burbank Police Sgt. Claudio Losacco.
His alleged getaway driver, 26-year-old Los Angeles resident Sarah Sullivan, was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to attempted murder.
Police believe the attack was motivated by a personal altercation, as the suspect knew the victim. While those involved reportedly have gang ties and criminal histories, the incident was not gang-related.
The investigation began around 7:45 p.m. Monday, when police were called to the 1600 block of Grismer Avenue, where they found a 30-year-old Burbank man suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his upper body.
Shortly before, he was shot while driving westbound on the Burbank Boulevard overpass, after which he turned his car around and stopped at a nearby Wells Fargo to switch spots with a passenger. They continued driving for about two miles before stopping to call for help.
The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment and is in “good” condition, Losacco said.
Lupercio and Sullivan, meanwhile, fled westbound toward Victory Boulevard in a black Mercedes SUV.
Interviews with witnesses and the victim led investigators to Sylmar, where plain-clothed detectives surveilled the Mercedes and Lupercio’s home.
Later, SWAT officers, two K-9 teams and a police helicopter surrounded Lupercio’s home while crisis negotiators called Lupercio.
Lupercio reportedly refused to surrender for about 15 minutes, and just before 8:30 a.m., he attempted to flee out the back of his home before he was taken into custody.
Police have not recovered the handgun used in the shooting, which is unrelated to Thursday’s gang shooting at Lundigan Park. Two people were arrested and charged in connection with last week’s crime.
The recent violence has left some Burbank residents on edge.
“I don’t know what’s happened to Burbank,” said longtime resident Diana Morris, who stopped near the scene Monday night to find out what was going on. “It doesn’t seem as safe anymore.”
Rosa Pathy, who’s worked at the 76 gas station near the overpass for more than two decades, said that while this type of criminal activity is rare in her city, it still makes her nervous.
“Ninety-five percent of the time I feel safe because the police are always going around,” she said. “Tonight I’ll be a little bit more aware of what goes on.”
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Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com
Twitter: @atchek
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