Sep 6, 2008

Man shot five times in E. Palo Alto

Injuries could leave Menlo Park resident paralyzed

By Banks Albach / Daily News Staff Writer

A man in his early 40s was hit five times in a drive-by shooting in East Palo Alto on Thursday and could be paralyzed from the waist down, police said.

James Miller, of Menlo Park, had just stepped off his motorcycle at a friend's house on the 2200 block of Pulgas Avenue when at least two suspects inside a late-model Dodge Charger, possibly red with tinted windows, slowed down and opened fire. Miller had his back turned to the car when the passenger fired five shots, all striking Miller in his legs and lower back, witnesses told police.

An-on duty San Mateo County probation officer was behind the suspects' vehicle and attempted to chase it down, but the car was too fast, Capt. Carl Estelle said.

Police responded to reports of shots fired at about 6:40 p.m. and found Miller on the driveway, conscious and speaking. He was transported to Stanford University Medical Center.

Detective Angel Sanchez said he had hoped Friday afternoon to interview Miller, but the man was still heavily sedated.

Sanchez said the motive for the crime is unknown. The only additional suspect information detectives have is that the car has California plates.

Anyone with information, or who may have witnessed the shooting is asked to call Detective Tracy Turner at 650-853-3177, or the police department's anonymous tip line at 650-853-8477.



E-mail Banks Albach at balbach@dailynewsgroup.com.