Amazon driver killed in California, suspect arrested
STOCKTON, Calif. (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - A suspect has been arrested for the fatal shooting of an Amazon big rig driver on I-5 in Lathrop earlier this month.
The manhunt for a murder suspect coming to a close. Authorities arrested 29-year-old Andrew Watson for the shooting death and crash of Amazon big rig driver Ilkhom Shodiev.
“He was a person with a big heart. He was like helpful, and he loved his family," said Durkahksh Sheralieva, a friend of the family.
The victim’s wife and close family friends were asked for a comment the day after the accident, but too heartbroken to show their faces on camera.
Suspect's previous run-in with police
“The public was very important. Very valuable in helping to locate the suspect," said Officer Ruben Jones of the Stockton California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Jones says tips that came in with dash cam video led them to Watson.
However, this was not the suspect’s first run-in with police. Since 2013, Watson has been arrested on charges of felony once, six misdemeanor charges and four traffic-related charges.
And now, Watson has been arrested at his Manteca home for Shodiev's murder
Still investigating
The shooting suspect is behind bars here at the San Joaquin County Jail. CHP is still investigating what the motive was.
“You never know what a person is carrying on their person in their vehicle. If this was a road rage incident, I am not saying it was, the suspect pulled out a firearm and there was no way for the truck driver to know that," Jones detailed.
That’s why Jones says to never confront another driver if you find yourself in a possible road rage incident.
“You don’t know who the person is next to you. You don’t know what their background is, you don’t know if the person is fleeing from police or out on parole," Jones explained.
The I-5 shooting victim’s wife isnow preparing for the funeral of her husband.
“Now she is like 'What do I do next?' She was not working, she was caring for the kids...He was trying to work so hard to do truck driving and save some money and have a happy life later on with his family," Sheralieva remarked.
