Driver Arrested After Motorist Wounded in Slingshot Attack

A motorist was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of using a slingshot to fire two ball bearings at another driver on the Harbor Freeway, striking the man in the head but not seriously injuring him, the California Highway Patrol said.

Lawrence Pasatiempo, 46, was arrested by CHP officers at his Torrance home, a CHP spokesman said. He faces a possible charge of assault with a deadly weapon, authorities said.

The wounded man, identified as Anthony Valdez, 20, of Rosemead, was taken to Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center for observation.

Authorities said the incident apparently started about 3:50 p.m. near the Anaheim Street freeway ramp in Wilmington, with both motorists honking their horns at each other and using hand gestures.

Then Pasatiempo pulled his car alongside the vehicle being driven by Valdez, the CHP said.

Sgt. Mike Goins said it “appears [Pasatiempo] took out a slingshot and quite a good-sized ball bearing and fired it through the side rear window, and fired another one through the open driver’s side window, striking the victim in the head.”

The injured Valdez pulled to the shoulder and flagged down a freeway service patrol tow truck. Paramedics arrived a short time later.

Officials said the incident did not appear to be related to a recent series of random freeway attacks in which 250 car windows were shattered by projectiles. Two men were arrested on suspicion of committing those attacks.