CHP officer killed in freeway shootout
A California Highway Patrol officer was killed and two other officers wounded in a wild shootout Monday evening off the 215 Freeway in Riverside County that also left the gunman dead and motorists dodging bullets.
A California Highway Patrol officer was killed and two other officers were wounded in a wild shootout Monday evening off the 215 Freeway in Riverside County that also left the gunman dead and motorists dodging bullets.
Officer Andre Moye, 34, was killed during the shootout, according to CHP. He was a CHP officer for almost three years and was assigned to the Riverside office after he graduated in March 2017, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said.
The conditions of the other two officers were unknown, according to the Riverside Police Department. The suspect, who had not been identified, died at the scene.
According to reports from law enforcement , a CHP motorcycle officer stopped the driver for an unknown offense. The suspect is believed to have opened fire on the officer after reaching into his truck and pulling out a rifle after his vehicle was impounded, according to initial reports. It is unclear why the vehicle was being impounded.
The officer returned fire, and the two other CHP officers soon arrived and engaged the suspect in a gun battle. Law enforcement officers from local agencies also arrived to help. Dozens of rounds were fired at the scene.
“We don’t know why,” Riverside police spokesman Ryan Railsback said of the gunman’s motive.
Jennifer Moctezuma, 31, of Moreno Valley was driving home with her 6-year-old twins when a bullet flew through her front windshield.
Retired Marine Charles Childress, 56, also of Moreno Valley, was in the car behind them when he heard gunfire and saw that Moctezuma’s windshield had been shot.
He then heard the children screaming and knew he had to get the family out of the car.
“I was 21 years in the Marine Corps, and my training just kicked in,” Childress said.
Childress led Moctezuma and her two children as they crawled down to the bottom of the bridge away from the gunfire.
“He’s my hero,” Moctezuma said.
Authorities said morning commuters should plan an alternate route, as the 215 Freeway would remain closed for several hours.