OAKLAND, Calif. — Authorities say someone has opened fire on a party bus on a San Francisco Bay Area freeway, killing two women and wounding at least five others.
The East Bay Times reports that the passengers were celebrating a woman’s 21st birthday early Tuesday when the bus was attacked as it was returning to Oakland from San Francisco. ABC7 reports that police estimate at least 70 rounds were fired at the party bus.
CHP said in a Facebook post that the shooting happened at around 12:20 a.m. and that two separate shootings happened. The first happened on Interstate 580 at the Seminary Avenue offramp and the second happened shortly after.
According to family members, 16-year-old Zoey Hughes of Modesto was killed in the shooting. KTVU reports that a family member identified the second victim as 19-year-old Alayasia Thurston of Stockton.
"She was my best friend, she did everything with me. I did everything with Zoey," cried Zoey's mother Christina Hughes at a vigil Tuesday.
Christina could barely hold back tears as she described her daughter. She said Zoey died alongside her friend Alayasia Thurston.
"They consider themselves cousins," said Christina. "They've known each other for a really long time."
Christina said she had no idea her daughter was on a party bus and is demanding the driving service be held accountable for letting her 16-year-old daughter aboard without any identification.
"How did you let her on a party bus," asked Christina. "Isn't that for 21 and over? She's not. She's 16, so that company should be at fault too."
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) believes the shooting was not a random event. No suspect information or motive has been released at this time.
CHP said that there is not a lot of information about any suspects and they are working with the Oakland Police Department on the investigation. They are asking anyone with information to call the CHP investigative tip line at 707-917-4491.
WATCH MORE FROM ABC10: Stanislaus County sheriff's deputies involved in shooting in Modesto
The incident started with a pursuit, and one man has been taken to the hospital.