Cops in Crosshairs

Multiple gunshots were fired at police officers at around 2:35 a.m. on Monday, August 31. The shots were reportedly fired from the I-15, between the Market Street southbound on-ramp and north of Imperial Avenue.

Police officers were on the 3200 block of K Street taking a car-chase suspect into custody as they were shot at. There were no reports of injuries.

Over police radio, an officer at the scene noted that the shots “...sounded like a rifle.” He also added, “The rounds were high velocity.” Police dispatch immediately advised all officers to “use high caution.”

Two vehicles were seen fleeing southbound on the I-15 after the shooting. Witnesses from the area said that they heard as many as nine shots. Police radio traffic indicated that casings were found on the I-15, approximately 300 feet north of Imperial Avenue. All lanes of the I-15 were closed near Market St while officers investigated the area.

Preliminary reports over the radio identified one of the suspect vehicles as a pickup truck; however, its description was changed to an SUV believed to have been a Ford Explorer. A description of the second vehicle was not given.

The 18-year-old car-chase suspect in custody is believed to be connected with the shooting suspects. A Monday-morning press release from SDPD stated that three vehicles (one was a gray Ford Explorer) were seen just after 2 a.m. at south 28th Street and Everett Avenue. As an officer tried to stop the third vehicle for an expired registration, it fled. Prior to being arrested, the car-chase suspect abandoned his vehicle on the 3200 block of K Street, the site were officers took on rifle fire.