Officers hunt clues in shooting that sent man to WMH
By Lee Williams
Published in News on October 6, 2006 1:52 PM
DUDLEY -- Wayne County Sheriff's Officials have many clues, but no definitive answers on what provoked a man to open fire on a Raleigh man in broad daylight Thursday piercing him in his right arm and abdomen.
Alcaraz Cardenas Salvador was shot twice inside of his gray Jeep Grand Cherokee by an unknown assailant, Wayne County Sheriff's Office deputies said. The shooting took place just miles away from the Wayne County Fairgrounds about 10:15 a.m.
According to reports, the suspect walked up to Salvador's jeep and opened fire on him, shattering the front and rear driver's side windows.
An injured Salvador drove his Jeep to Golden Village Hair Express on U.S. 117 Alternate in Dudley, parked it and climbed out of the blood-stained vehicle, officials said. Salvador's lady companion who lives in the area and another friend then drove Salvador to the Citgo gas station on U.S. 117 South Bypass beside the fairgrounds and dropped him off.
Wayne County Sheriff's officials were the first to arrive at the gas station. Rescue crews from Mar-Mac Fire and Rescue also responded to help Salvador.
"We treated him and put him in an ambulance," said Lt. Mark Farwell. "He was shot twice in the arm and abdomen, but I think he'll make it."
As rescue crews rushed Salvador to Wayne Memorial Hospital, Wayne County Sheriff's Detectives Capt. Ray Brodgen and Sgt. Carl Lancaster donned their plastic gloves and combed the Jeep for clues.
Detective Sgt. Mike Kabler interviewed Salvador at the hospital with the help of a translator. It remains unclear just exactly where the shooting occurred, but based on Salvator's description, Kabler said he believed the crime took place by Young's Auto Salvage on U.S. 117 Alternate in Dudley and a Mexican store.
Salvator told investigators he was in the area visiting his lady companion known only as Victoria. Salvator told officials he had some free time during his trip, so he decided to go find a Spanish translator for his friend who received a speeding ticket.
But Salvator never found the translator for his friend.
"A black guy yelled at him and motioned to him," Kabler said Salvator told him.
Salvator told the detective that he decided to ask the man for directions to I-40, so he turned around and pulled up to the man. Salvator told the detective that although he spoke no English, he had planned to try to make out what the stranger told him about how to get to I-40.
"He pulled a gun out and shot him before he could ask for directions to I-40," Kabler said Salvator told him.
Investigators said Salvator likely was shot with a .22-caliber weapon. Salvator was unsure what type of gun was used during the assault. The only thing Salvator said he could recall was that it was a "big, black gun."
Investigators said Salvator's injuries were not life-threatening and they expected him to recover. Meanwhile, the search for the elusive gunman continues.
The gunman is described as a dark-skinned African-American. The heavy-set assailant stands about 5-feet-2 and has braids in the back of his hair only, Kabler said.
Anyone with information about Thursday's shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 919-735-2255. Callers may remain anonymous, and they could receive up to $1,000, if their information leads to a felony arrest.