SAN DIEGO — A shooting on Interstate 805 Monday morning shut down the northbound lanes causing heavy traffic while officials investigated.
California Highway Patrol held a press conference to give an update on the shooting that took place on the freeway around 7:45 a.m. Monday morning, involving a CHP officer.
Sgt. Brian Pennings said a CHP officer was concluding a traffic stop on the right shoulder on I-805 near Imperial Avenue Monday morning when a second vehicle pulled up.
The veteran officer, who worked with California Highway Patrol for over five years, said he saw the man in a Toyota Scion brandishing a knife.
Sgt. Pennings said the man in the Toyota Scion exited the vehicle and started walking toward the officer while continuing to hold the knife. Sgt. Pennings said after numerous verbal commands, the suspect charged at the officer, and the officer opened fire.
"I can tell you [the suspect] was hit multiple times, and multiple rounds were fired. The exact number I do not know, and the exact locations, I don’t know as well. [The suspect] is expected to survive non-life threatening injuries."
Sgt. Pennings said the officer who fired his weapon immediately rendered medical assistance after the man was hit. Paramedics arrived shortly after and took the suspect to the hospital. The CHP officer was not hurt.
"We really hope to determine what [the suspect's] motive was," said Sgt. Pennings. "It’s too premature at this time to comment on what his incentive was to do what he did. All we know is what transpired and how it transpired. We’re hoping to determine a motive as part of our investigation."
Three lanes of the northbound lanes of the 805 freeway re-opened around noon. The rest of the freeway was open by 1:00 p.m.
Officer Pennings said CHP met with San Diego police about who would conduct the investigation, and it was decided that CHP would investigate.
There were no reports of any bystanders being hit with gunfire.
A search of the suspect's vehicle did not produce any additional weapons.
Sgt. Pennings said the officer was not wearing a body camera.
Meanwhile, CBS 8 spoke to drivers diverted off the 805 to Imperial Avenue. Most had been sitting in traffic for at least two and a half hours.
"It was a complete parking lot; it was ridiculous," said Flores Alacorn.
She said she was glad to hear the officer wasn't hurt.
WATCH RELATED: All lanes of 805 north near Imperial Ave closed after shooting involving CHP
