Suspect in shooting hit bicyclist, told co-workers of being chased

The man suspected of randomly shooting a 65-year- old woman who was walking with groceries Monday afternoon, moments after shooting at another stranger in a car, was arrested after telling coworkers at a Palo Alto restaurant that he had been chased during his commute.

Oscar Alfredo TapiaCarmona also hit a bicyclist during the bizarre sequence of events Monday evening, according to new details provided by the San Mateo County District At- torney’s Office.

Prosecutors outlined more specific details in the allegations against TapiaCarmona, who has been charged with eight felonies, including two counts of premeditated murder. Tapia- Carmona, who also was charged with firing at a vehicle, two counts of assault with a firearm, elder physical abuse, possession of a gunby a felonwith a violent felony conviction and hit-and-run, could face 50 years to life in prison if convicted on all charges, San Mateo County District Attorney SteveWagstaffe said.

“What’s concerning here is the fact that he didn’t know either of the vic- tims,” Wagstaffe said. “Total strangers, and he’s acting in the way he is. The danger to the community at large is of paramount concern to us.”

Tapia- Carmona was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, but he was not in court because he needed surgery for an injury he received during an altercation at the jail Tuesday night, said Deputy District Attorney Al Serrato. Details about the incident were not available. Tapia- Carmona’s next court appearance is scheduled for Monday.

Tapia- Carmona allegedly was stopped at a red light at West Bayshore Road and Capitol Avenue on Monday when he fired a shot at a man in a vehicle next to him. The bullet went through an open window, but it did not hit the driver.

When Tapia- Carmona sped away, the man chased him in an attempt to write down the license plate. The two vehicles stayed close and traveled about half a mile east to Newell Road when, as they approached Woodland Avenue, police say Tapia- Carmona fired twice at a woman who was walking home with groceries she had just bought from a nearby 7-Eleven.

The bullet that hit the 65-year- old woman shattered her arm and will require surgery, prosecutors said. The man who was chasing Tapia- Carmona stopped to help the woman.

Tapia- Carmona then drove to Palo Alto, where he worked at a restaurant, prosecutors said. During his drive, he also hit a bicyclist, who was not injured.

Once at the restaurant, Tapia- Carmona reportedly told co-workers he had been chased by several people on his way to work. Police were called and officers found a black Beretta in Tapia- Carmona’s pocket, Wagstaffe said.