Police shooting kills suspect, shuts down I-80 in Hercules: sources

HERCULES, Calif. - 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.

The sources, who have knowledge of the situation, said the officer was a Richmond police detective.

Sources told KTVU that the suspect crashed a Nissan Altima on the highway in Hercules, got out of the car and began confronting other drivers with what appeared to be a tire iron. 

The detective, en route to his job in Richmond, spotted the situation, the sources said, and opened fire when the suspect tried to attack him. 

What we know:

Officially, the CHP closed the highway near Pinole Valley Road about 7:30 a.m. for what they described as a "major police activity," which caused a traffic backup for miles in the area. 

A CHP officer at the scene said the Constra Costa County District Attorney's Office is investigating. 

Richmond police did not immediately respond for comment.

Large police presence on I-80

KTVU cameras spotted dozens of police cars and crime scene tape in one area of the shutdown. 

From the sky, police surrounded a gold-colored Nissan Altima that was left in the middle of the highway. The left side of the car was banged up and damaged. 

Traffic backup on I-80

The CHP said they were diverting westbound traffic at the Hercules exit. The fast lane of I-80 eastbound is also closed, the CHP said. 

Traffic was backing up for miles on Interstate 80 between Hercules and Rodeo. 

There was no ETA for reopening the lanes. 

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.