PASO ROBLES, Calif. -- A CHP officer involved in an early morning traffic stop Saturday that turned into a pursuit and a shootout, was released from the hospital while the suspect remains in the hospital in custody.
The CHP officer involved in the shooting is 30 years old and a six year veteran to the agency. He is currently an officer at the CHP office in Templeton. He remains on administrative leave, which is common after an incident like this.
CHP, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department and Paso Robles Police are still figuring out what happened when 22-year-old Clifford Albert Scott Jr. from San Diego is accused of running from a CHP officer on Highway 101 and driving into Paso Robles off Spring Street.
Authorities said Scott then crashed his car near Spring and 13th and he ran from the officer. Shortly after the pursuit, both men drew their guns, fired at each other on 14th and Park. The number of shots fired has not yet been released as of Monday.
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department says this is the first officer involved shooting this year.
California Highway patrol snapped photos from the sky to try to determine what happened to one of their own this morning, when a CHP officer tried to make a routine traffic stop on Highway 101 but the suspect took off.
"It was around four in the morning. I started hearing the sirens," says Paso Robles resident Carlos Elias.
"I started hearing a shooting and it sounded like a good round of case."
The Sheriff's Department says during the pursuit the suspect got off the Spring Street exit and crashed into a tree before running out of the car.
The officer chased the suspect to 14th and Park street where a gun fight ensued.
"The suspect and the officer fired at each other," says San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Commander Brian Hascall. "The officer and the suspect struck each other with bullets. They were both transported to the hospital where they're being treated for their injuries."
Commander Hascall says items found in a suspect's car are typically placed on the hood.
Left on the suspect's hood was a cell phone, prescription bottle and a little red pill.
The Sheriff's Department says they are still investigating whether the suspect was under the influence of any substances.
The suspect is in surgery and the CHP officer is being treated for his injuries but is expected to be released soon.
