Police shooting kills suspect on I-80 in Hercules
Suspect killed in I-80 police shooting
A suspect was killed in a confrontation with an off-duty officer on Interstate 80 in Hercules Thursday morning.
HERCULES, Calif. - A portion of Interstate 80 in Hercules was shut down for much of Thursday after a police officer shot and killed a person, officials say.
The Richmond Police Department confirm the officer involved is a Richmond P.D. detective.
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What led to the shooting
What they're saying:
Two sources with knowledge of the investigation told KTVU that the suspect crashed a Nissan Altima on westbound I-80 in Hercules, exited the vehicle and confronted other drivers with what appeared to be a tire iron.
Richmond P.D. later issued a statement saying there were "unconfirmed reports" that the suspect may have been swinging a "metal object" at passing vehicles just before the detective arrived.
The detective, who was on the way to work in Richmond, spotted the situation and opened fire when the suspect tried to attack him, the sources said.
Richmond police said the detective had initially activated their emergency lights and attempted to render aid to what appeared to be a stranded motorist.
Police said there was an altercation between the detective and the suspect transpired during their encounter and that the detective fired his gun upon the suspect. They did not detail what exactly happened between the two individuals.
Medics arrived and provided aid to the suspect, who died at the hospital from their injuries.
Richmond police said the detective sustained minor injuries.
Police shooting kills suspect, shuts down I-80 in Hercules: sources
The California Highway Patrol on Thursday shut down all westbound lanes of Interstate 80 in Hercules after a police officer shot and killed someone, according to two sources.
Highway closure and investigation
What we know:
The California Highway Patrol closed all westbound lanes near Pinole Valley Road around 7:30 a.m., for what they described as "major police activity." The closure caused traffic backups for miles. Westbound lanes reopened shortly after 5 p.m.
A CHP officer at the scene said the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the shooting. The Richmond P.D.'s internal accountability commission will also investigate the officer's actions.
Meanwhile, CHP will continue to investigate the driver's actions prior to the shooting.
Richmond police said CHP initially received calls at around 6:35 a.m. about a gold or gray Nissan sedan, traveling westbound on I-80 through Vallejo. Callers said the vehicle was driving recklessly, at high speeds, cutting in and out of traffic and was involved in several collisions.
Callers at one point told police the vehicle's hood popped up, obstructing the windshield, but they continued to drive.
Richmond P.D. said preliminary information suggests the Nissan the detective encountered is the same vehicle that was reported to CHP.
Police said the detective was in business attire since investigative units do not wear a uniform nor are they equipped with body-worn cameras.
KTVU cameras showed dozens of police vehicles and crime scene tape in one area of the shutdown. The gold-colored Nissan Altima was left in the middle of the highway, with visible damage on its left side.
Traffic was backed up for miles between Hercules and Rodeo.
Fatal police shooting in San Jose
Big picture view:
The fatal police shooting of a suspect in Hercules comes a day after a similar situation in San Jose.
A San Jose police sergeant was shot by a gunman during a multi-city shooting spree on Wednesday that ended with officers killing the suspect.
Police said the injured officer is expected to make a full recovery.