Cops nab McDonald's gunman

A witness followed the car onto Highway 101 where police picked up the chase and followed the suspects to the University Avenue exit. Police quickly caught one man in the area of Manhattan and Euclid avenues. The man's identity was not confirmed at press time last night.

At least three to five people were in the parking lot at the time of the shooting and more people were inside the restaurant. Based on witness statements, police believe the gunman walked into McDonald's, exchanged words with two people and left. He was followed by the two people and then fired several rounds at them in the parking lot before leaving in the Escort waiting on Jasmine Street, just behind McDonald's.

The police were able to gather information from three 10-year-old girls who were jumping on a trampoline in one of the girl's front yard. The girl's mother, Valicia Campbell, was inside washing dishes.

"There were three consecutive shots, very rapid. We didn't know what it was." Campbell said.

When Campbell and her husband ran outside, they saw the three girls lying on the trampoline with their heads buried in their arms. Campbell and her husband saw the bullet casing on the ground and quickly called police.

"I freaked out. They could've shot my kids," Campbell said.

The children saw the man with the gun in a puffy white jacket get into the back seat of the Escort. The car slowly turned onto Barneson Avenue from Jasmine Street and paused before turning south on El Camino Real, Campbell said.

She was able to write down the license plate number.

The neighborhood is usually quiet with an occasional broken bottle or yelling, said Campbell, a 16-year resident.

Police are still looking for the two other men riding in the Escort. They are described as Hispanic adults between 18 and 20 years old, between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall. One was wearing a white shirt with blue stripes and the other was wearing a light-colored shirt, according to the police statement.

Anyone else with information about this incident should call the San Mateo Police Department at 522-7700.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.