California Highway Patrol officer killed in ‘long, horrific’ shootout

The Associated Press

5 years ago

Riverside City Deputy Chief of Police Jeffrey Greer reacts at the scene where a shootout near a ... — Riverside City Deputy Chief of Police Jeffrey Greer reacts at the scene where a shootout near a freeway killed a California Highway Patrol officer and wounded two others before the gunman was fatally shot, Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, in Riverside, Calif. (Terry Pierson/The Orange County Register via AP)

Authorities investigate the scene on the Eastridge Avenue overpass over Interstate 215, where a fatal shootout occurred, Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, in Riverside, Calif. (Terry Pierson/The Orange County Register via AP)

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, right, with Riverside City Police Chief Sergio G. Diaz, center, and a California Highway Patrol officer gather information after a shootout near a freeway killed a CHP officer and wounded two others before the gunman was fatally shot, Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, in Riverside, Calif. (Terry Pierson/The Orange County Register via AP)

A woman and her two children stand near the scene where a shootout near a freeway killed a California Highway Patrol officer and wounded two others before the gunman was fatally shot, Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, in Riverside, Calif. (Terry Pierson/The Orange County Register via AP)

California Highway Patrol officers stage outside an emergency room entrance, late Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, in Moreno Valley, Calif., after a CHP officer was fatally shot during a traffic stop in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via AP)

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A man whose pickup truck was being impounded grabbed a rifle and opened fire, killing a California Highway Patrol officer and wounding two others Monday before he was shot to death in a hail of gunfire, authorities said.

“We don’t know his motive for this crime,” Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz said Monday night.

The shooter opened fire shortly after 5:30 p.m. after a CHP officer pulled over a white GMC pickup truck and decided to impound it.

“He called for a tow truck and was filling out the necessary paperwork” when the driver pulled a rifle from the truck and opened fire, said Scott Parker, assistant chief at the CHP’s Inland Division.

The officer called for help and three other CHP officers arrived, who immediately faced gunfire and two were hit, Parker said.

A Riverside police officer and three Riverside County sheriff’s deputies also arrived and traded shots with the man before killing him at the scene, Diaz said.

“It was a long and horrific gunbattle,” the chief said.

I am devastated by the tragedy that unfolded earlier in Riverside. Tonight, I mourn the loss of one of our own, CHP Officer Andre Moye, who was killed during a shootout following a traffic stop. Prayers go out to all, including the responding officers injured in the shooting.

— Warren Stanley (@CHPCommissioner) August 13, 2019

Video showed the gunman, apparently clad in black and wielding a military assault-style rifle, trading fire with officers and then retreating to crouch behind the front of his truck for cover, still trading shots.

Video after the shooting showed bullet holes in the front windows of two patrol cars and large holes blown in their back windows.

Parker said the first CHP officer who was wounded was taken by helicopter to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Another officer was hospitalized in critical condition but the third had only minor injuries.

Authorities didn’t immediately release the names of the slain CHP officer or the gunman.

Family IDs officer

However, family members identified the officer as 33-year-old Andre Moye, Jr., who was married and had been with the CHP about four years, KABC-TV reported.

Police earlier had said at least one civilian had been slightly injured by flying glass.

Parker said two civilians received superficial injuries and “they’re going to be OK.” Parker said.

Jennifer Moctezuma, 31, of Moreno Valley told the Los Angeles Times that she was driving home with her 6-year-old twins when a bullet flew through her front windshield.

Charles Childress, 56, a retired Marine from Moreno Valley, was in the car behind her.

He led the family as they crawled to the bottom of a bridge to hide and none were harmed, the Times reported.

“He’s my hero,” Moctezuma said.

Impound details not disclosed

Authorities did not immediately say what prompted the officer to stop and impound the truck. Investigators didn’t immediately know where the gunman came from or where he was headed, Diaz said.

After the shooting, dozens of law enforcement officers gathered outside of the hospital in nearby Moreno Valley. Snipers were posted on the roof as a precaution.

Dozens lined up and saluted as the officer’s flag-draped body was removed from the hospital and placed in a hearse. Motorcycle officers then led a procession as the hearse was driven to the county coroner’s office.