Nugget Julius Hodge Shot While Driving On I-76 (NC State Alum)

CBS4Denver.com ^ | April 8, 2006

[Howlin]

DENVER The victim of a shooting early Saturday morning has been identified as Denver Nugget player Julius Hodge, authorities said.

Adams County deputies received a call of a shooting in the area of eastbound I-76 over I-25. Upon arrival, deputies found an unoccupied vehicle that appeared to be involved in the middle of the road.

Witnesses informed deputies that a second motorist stopped and Hodge and his passenger got into the second vehicle. The Good Samaritan transported Hodge to the hospital, authorities said.

Detectives with the Adams County Sheriff's Office are investigating the incident and are in the process of developing information and identifying persons who may have witnessed the shooting.

There is no apparent motive for the shooting and the Adams County Sheriff's Office is seeking assistance from the public.

The preliminary investigation reveals that Hodge was driving east on I-76 and an unknown vehicle pulled up along side Hodge's vehicle and started shooting.

Hodge’s vehicle was hit with several bullets from an unknown type of weapon. Some of the rounds struck Hodge in his lower extremities.

After being hit by gunfire, Hodge stopped his vehicle in the middle of the road and the passenger flagged down another motorist, who transported them to the hospital.

Hodge's medical condition is unknown and is not being released by the hospital.

Detectives would like to speak with the motorist who took Hodge and his passenger to the hospital. If anyone witnessed or has information about this incident you are asked to contact the Adams County Sheriff's Office at 720-322-1313.

[LucyJo]

"Who knows. Tom Lehman's car got shot this week at the Masters. That's a little bizarre, two athletes' cars being shot in the same week...."

First thought that popped into my mind too, but the person who shot Lehman was bent on shooting Cadillac vehicles. This sounds like the perps were after a specific target who drove a vehicle like Hodge's, or maybe they were after Hodge or his passenger.

Like you say, "who knows". Hope they find who did it. Glad his injuries aren't life threatening.