Passenger in fatal Richmond freeway shooting takes plea deal, prison term

MARTINEZ — A man who was 17 years old when he allegedly played a minor role in a 2017 fatal freeway shooting accepted a plea deal and 13-year prison term Friday.

Lonnie Hopkins Jr., 19, was a passenger when another person in the car, Elliot Johnhenry Johnson, 25, allegedly opened fire while they were stuck in Interstate 80 traffic. The victim, Demarcus Doss, 24, of Pinole, threw himself on top of his girlfriend, using his own body to shield her from harm. Doss was struck several times and killed, and his girlfriend escaped major injury.

Johnson, Hopkins, and the alleged driver, Bryan J. Anderson, who was also 17 at the time, were arrested shortly after the shooting, which occurred in front of numerous witnesses, including an off-duty cop. Hopkins attempted to run away from police, and he’s suspected of ditching the gun that was used, although the weapon was never recovered.

All three defendants were allegedly part of the same Richmond-area gang, which allowed prosecutors to charge them all with gang enhancements, and hold each defendant legally liable for the alleged actions of their cohorts. Under state law, gang members who play any roll in a gang-related murder can be convicted of not only murder but gun enhancements that add significant time to prison sentences.

In exchange for the 13-year prison term, Hopkins was convicted of a manslaughter charge. The deal was finalized in front of Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Laurel Brady on Friday.

Doss and Anderson are still awaiting trial, which is expected to start in early 2020.

Police have not commented on the suspected motive for the shooting.