CHP officer wounded as gunfire erupts in Turlock during investigation of freeway shooting
A California Highway Patrol officer was shot while conducting an investigation in Turlock Thursday evening, authorities said.
The investigator suffered a wound that is not life-threatening, and was taken to an area hospital for treatment, Turlock Police Capt. Steve Williams said in a briefing at police headquarters Thursday night.
Williams said just before 9 p.m. that authorities had one suspect in custody and were searching for another.
The incident began about 5:30 p.m. in the 600 block of High Street, near Columbia Park on the city’s west side. CHP investigators were following up on a freeway shooting that occurred on Wednesday evening. Williams said he did not know where that shooting occurred, nor if anyone was injured.
The investigators found what they believed to be the vehicle involved in the freeway shooting. As they approached the vehicle, “an individual began shooting at them,” according to a Turlock Police press release. “Investigators returned fire and the suspect fled on foot.”
As authorities chased the first shooting suspect, a second suspect fired multiple rounds at them, Williams said. “Investigators caught up with and arrested the initial shooter, who was not injured.”
It was not immediately clear whether any other officers suffered any injuries, nor whether they fired any shots.
“At least one CHP investigator sustained a non-life threatening gun shot wound,” the release states.
Turlock Police spokesman Sgt. Michael Parmley said earlier in the evening that “a shooting did occur but (I) can’t confirm if an officer discharged a weapon.”
Law enforcement officers from agencies around the county responded to the scene and set up a perimeter to search for the second suspect. A command post was set up at Castor and Orange streets.
Neighbors came out to watch the activity but said they don’t know what happened. Other Turlock residents drove to the scene.
Julie Grajeda came with her dog because she heard about the incident in an area Facebook group. “I parked down the street and I just came walking,” she said.
She’s interested in a law enforcement career so sometimes goes out to crime scenes. Grjeda said she felt “a little heartbroken, honestly,” to hear about an officer possibly being shot in her city.
Williams advised anyone within an eight- to 10-block area around the 600 block of High Street to stay inside their homes and call 911 immediately if they see or hear anything unusual.
Authorities ask anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Brandon Bertram at (209) 668-5550 extension 6623.
This story was originally published December 16, 2021 at 6:58 PM.
