By Bill Lindelof
cphua@sacbee.com
Sacramento police said today they have arrested a man and two teenagers in the drive-by killing of a 20-year-old Sacramento resident - but still need to find the possible murder weapon.
Police believe another motorist found the missing gun and are asking him to turn it in.
The dead man has been identified by Sacramento County Coroner's deputies as Deandre James Ellison. Ellison was shot and killed about 4:40 p.m. Wednesday in the driveway of a home in the 900 block of Carmel Avenue in Del Paso Heights.
That's where police responded and were told by witnesses that Ellison and several friends were pulling into the driveway when somebody in a Ford Explorer started shooting at them. As a result of the gunfire, the vehicle Ellison was riding in crashed into the house.
Officers tried to stop a dark-colored Ford Explorer near Del Paso Road and Northgate Boulevard that matched the vehicle used in the drive-by shooting but the sport utility vehicle sped away.
A pursuit began, ending when the Explorer hit five cars on Natomas Boulevard.
The three people in the SUV were arrested on suspicion of homicide: Jesse Juan Cornejo, 21, a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy.
Police say it is unclear what motivated the shooting.
One handgun, that police said was tossed from the SUV, has been recovered.
However, a 9mm handgun that was also discarded by fleeing suspects is still missing, police said.
Based on their investigation, police believe that a white man driving a white Toyota Camry found the handgun on Striker Avenue between Northgate Boulevard and Kenmar Drive.
The man can anonymously turn in the gun by calling police at (916) 264-5471.
The man who found the gun can call law enforcement at that number and police will pick up the weapon without the man having to identify himself.
Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.
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