In the pre-dawn hours of a Sunday in July 2020, the life of 31-year-old Steven Vallejo of Norcross, Georgia, was tragically cut short in a sudden act of violence on Interstate 85. Vallejo, a Hispanic male, was driving his black passenger car southbound, taking the exit for Indian Trail-Lilburn Road shortly after 12:30 a.m. It was at this moment that a single shot was fired from another vehicle, striking Vallejo.
The wounded Vallejo was rushed to a nearby hospital, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Homicide detectives from the Gwinnett County Police Department quickly began an investigation into what they believe may have been a road rage incident. According to their initial findings, a silver or gray passenger car, possibly a Chevrolet Malibu or Impala from the 2010s, was in the far-right lane of I-85 as Vallejo was exiting. The driver of that vehicle, described as a Black male, is the suspected shooter.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the suspect's car reportedly struck the southbound Indian Trail exit sign, which would have caused moderate to extensive damage to its front end. The vehicle then continued heading south on I-85, disappearing into the night.
As of late 2020, investigators were still actively seeking tips from the public regarding the fatal shooting. Authorities have not yet announced any arrests in connection with the death of Steven Vallejo, and the case remains an open and active homicide investigation. Law enforcement has urged anyone with information about the incident, the suspect, or the silver vehicle with front-end damage to come forward to assist in bringing closure to Vallejo's family.
