CHP Officer shot as he was calling for a tow truck (CA)

[TowNews]

CHP officer, suspect killed, two officers injured in Riverside shootout

 

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) -- One of the California Highway Patrol officers wounded during a shootout in Riverside Monday evening has died. Two others remain hospitalized, according to KABC .

 

According to Riverside authorities, the shooting happened around 5:35 p.m. on the 215 Freeway near Box Springs Boulevard and Eastridge Avenue.

 

"One of our officers succumbed to the injuries sustained," the CHP tweeted.

 

Riverside authorities say a CHP officer stopped the suspect driving a GMC pickup truck and then decided to impound the vehicle.

 

As he was calling for a tow truck and filling out paperwork, the suspect entered the truck, grabbed a rifle and fired it at the officer, police say. The officer was able to broadcast an "officer needs assistance" call.

 

Of the first three officers on scene, two of them were immediately engaged, both of them were struck during a gun fire exchange, authorities said.

 

One of them received major injuries and is in critical condition. The other received minor injuries.

The suspect was killed in a shootout with a fourth officer.

 

The officer who initiated the traffic stop was transported to a hospital in Moreno Valley and was pronounced dead, authorities said.

 

"It was a long and horrific gun battle," said Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz. "And it resulted in a very extensive crime scene."

 

A total of three officers were shot. Police say a witness may have also been hit with something, but it doesn't appear to be gunfire.

 

Video from the scene shows bullet holes in the front windshields of two CHP cars.

 

KABC is reporting that family members of the suspected gunman identified him as Aaron Luther, a father of two from Beaumont in his late 40s.

 

 

 

 

 

This could have been a Tow Operator our sympathies go out to fellow law enforcement officers, Family & Friends. The dangers are real the situation is never the same.

[Doreen ur Finance Lady]

Our deepest sympathies go out to all the law enforcements involved. Keeping all of them in our prayers. 

[mooresbp]

Our thoughts and prayers

[rreschran]

The reality in any traffic stop is ... you never know if a motorist is planning to kill you.  Christine and I pray for the fast and complete recovery of the two surviving officers as well as the officer who lost his life.    R

[5towman]

My heart goes out to all involved. Depress sympathies. 

[yoBdaBenO]

How SAD and this could have been one of us this nut job shot when we went to tow his crap. ANGRY

Edited August 17, 2019 by yoBdaBenO