San Mateo, CA – On October 3, 2022, at approximately 2:14 p.m., San Mateo Police Department Dispatch sent officers to the 700 block of Fathom Drive on the report of gunshots.
SMPD patrol officers quickly arrived at the scene and began an investigation. Officers learned the driver of a minivan worked at a marijuana dispensary in Oakland and departed work that day. Soon after, he realized he was being followed by a Volkswagen while on the San Mateo Bridge. The driver of the minivan pulled off the freeway into San Mateo and backed his vehicle into a parking spot.
Shortly after, the Volkswagen pulled slightly past the parked minivan and two adult males, one later identified as Leimarion Johnson, exited the vehicle. As Johnson and the other male approached the passenger side of the minivan, the driver of the minivan attempted to drive away from them. The unnamed male broke the front window of the passenger side of the minivan and leaned the upper half of his body into the vehicle. While the male was leaned into the minivan, Johnson fired two rounds at the rear of the minivan. The unnamed male grabbed a bag located in the front passenger side of the minivan and then fell out of the minivan. The minivan drove away from the area shortly before Johnson and his accomplice fled the scene.
SMPD detectives continued the investigation. They identified Johnson as the shooter. Detectives learned Johnson was in custody at the Contra Costa jail but bailing out on February 8, 2023. SMPD Detectives met Johnson and arrested him as he was released from custody. Johnson was subsequently booked into the San Mateo County Jail for robbery, assault with a firearm on a person, shooting at an inhabited vehicle, and conspiracy.
Detectives wrote a search warrant for Johnson’s residence in Richmond, CA. To safely execute this warrant, SMPD Detectives solicited the assistance of several other agencies.
On February 9, 2023, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, and Richmond PD all worked together to secure Johnson’s residence before SMPD’s search. The search yielded the clothing Johnson wore during the October 3rd shooting. Detectives collected the clothing and booked it as evidence.
Remember, “If you see something, say something.” We are encouraging our community to utilize security cameras. They are especially helpful in identifying suspicious activity in neighborhoods when cameras are street facing. Our officers regularly canvass for surveillance and you can help us by notifying SMPD where cameras are located in your neighborhood at www.cityofsanmateo.org/Nest.
ARRESTED
Leimarion Johnson, a 19-year-old Richmond resident
Charges: Robbery (212.5(C) PC), assault with a firearm on a person (245(A)(2) PC), Shooting at an inhabited dwelling/vehicle/etc. (246 PC), and conspiracy (182(A)(1) PC)
Information released by San Mateo Police Department
