Apparent Random Gunshot Hits West Hills Driver in Head

A West Hills man was shot in the head as he drove through a residential neighborhood in Woodland Hills, apparently the victim of a random shooting, Los Angeles police reported.

Ronald G. Kleker, 26, was in extremely critical condition Tuesday following the shooting about 9:15 p.m. Monday, Detective Rick Swanston said.

Kleker was struck in the head by a bullet while driving east on Victory Boulevard, one of San Fernando Valley’s major thoroughfares, near Fallbrook Avenue.

He lost consciousness and drove into a stone mailbox in front of a residence in the 22600 block of Victory Boulevard.

The homeowner called paramedics.

Police have no one in custody and no motive for the shooting.

Investigators do not know where the shot came from, Swanston said.

The incident did not appear to be gang-related, Swanston said.

Kleker was unarmed when he was shot.

“He was a hard-working fellow who lives in a nearby neighborhood. He probably left his house to get a pack of cigarettes,” Swanston said.

Kleker was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where Nursing Supervisor Helen Williams said Tuesday night that he was in extremely critical condition.

“We’ve lived here 19 years, and we’ve never had anything like this,” said a resident of the neighborhood who asked not to be identified. “If it’s random, then it’s even worse.”