Man Upset By Noise Fires At Passing Cars, Kills Woman Who Tried To Escape

A 21-year-old woman in California was shot to death by a man, who allegedly opened fire at passing vehicles because he was frustrated by the noise of cars racing down the street.

Bernard Jimmerson, 39, is facing charges in connection with the death of Marie Bedford, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.

Jimmerson, an Oakland resident and a father of two young children, told cops that he got upset by the noise of vehicles driving down the street at night on April 29. He then went outside his house and began shooting at passing cars, fatally striking Bedford as she was “trying to flee from the gunfire,” officers said.

Police arrived at the scene after ShotSpotter, a gunfire detection technology, sent three separate alerts about gunshots, reported NBC Bay Area.

“[Jimmerson] told police he was frustrated by the noise of cars racing up and down his street in the middle of the night,” Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price said in a statement. “He went outside with his rifle and shot at passing cars – hitting and killing Marie Bedford. Today, because of a decision he made in anger, Mr. Jimmerson is facing a sentence of 27 years to life.”

Police said Bedford died at the scene after being struck by a stray bullet in the head, CBS News reported.

“Her murder is heartbreaking and absolutely unacceptable,” Price added.

Jimmerson was charged with second-degree murder, shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, possession of an assault rifle, possession of a gun and ammunition by a felon and a gun enhancement.

Investigators learned that he was on probation after a gun possession conviction. Cops also searched his home and found “nearly 200 rounds of ammunition, two pistols, two AR-15 rifles and body armor,” officers said.

“There are too many guns in this community,” Price added. “And there are too many people who are too quick to use a gun, believing they have a right to use a gun when they do not. It needs to stop. And when someone takes a life under these circumstances we will hold them accountable.”