Driver in Critical Condition After Being Shot at Freeway Entrance

A motorist who was shot as he drove onto a Ventura Freeway on-ramp in Sherman Oaks remained in critical condition on a life-support system Thursday, Los Angeles police said.

Police identified the victim as Juan Manrique, 18, of Arleta. He was shot about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday as he turned from Woodman Avenue onto the westbound entrance to the freeway, Lt. Warren Knowles said.

The gunman fired five or six shots at Manrique and a 20-year-old passenger from a passing car on Woodman, Knowles said.

The passenger was not hit, but Manrique was wounded once in the head.

The gunman sped away. Police were looking for a late 1970s model Chevrolet, red-orange or rust colored.

Two men were in the car, police said.

The motive for the shooting was not known, and police said they had no indication that it was gang-related.

Knowles said the passenger, whose identity was not released, told investigators that “there was no problem with anyone during the evening or while they were driving on Woodman. His statement is that they had no enemies.”

Knowles said the two friends had just dropped a third friend at his residence near the freeway and were heading back to Arleta when the shooting occurred.

After Manrique was struck, the passenger grabbed the steering wheel and guided the car to a stop on the on-ramp.

Manrique was taken to the Medical Center of North Hollywood, where he was in critical condition Thursday, police said.

During the initial investigation, police closed the on-ramp for three hours.