Man shoots stranger who was filling up at LA gas station: DA

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — A 32-year-old man faces attempted murder charges after randomly shooting a man this week while he was filling up at a gas station in the San Fernando Valley, prosecutors said.

Joshua Steven Morales is accused of shooting the man, whom he did not know, in the back of the head with an air rifle around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday while he was filling up at a gas station at Chatsworth Speedway, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.

The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, prosecutors said.

Morales is charged with attempted murder. Prosecutors are recommending that he be held on $1.045 million bail.

If convicted as charged, Morales faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

“Our thoughts are with the victim and his family following this senseless and tragic incident,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “No one should ever have to fear being randomly attacked while simply going about their daily lives. This cowardly act of violence is shocking and unacceptable. Our office is committed to working tirelessly to ensure justice is served for the victim and her loved ones.”