Oakland Police Search For Suspect Who Shot At Officer After Crash
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- Police in Oakland were searching for a gunman who shot at but missed a police officer who was injured in a crash Saturday night, authorities said.
Oakland police spokeswoman Officer Johnna Watson said that at around 9:30 pm, a female officer was responding to a call for service.
The officer -- a supervisor who was alone in her patrol vehicle -- got to the intersection of 73rd Avenue and Holly Street in East Oakland and was in a major crash with another car, according to Watson.
Shortly after the crash, Watson said a suspect fired multiple shots at the officer, who was not struck by the gunfire. It is believed the officer was still in the car at the time, but police would not confirm that fact.
Watson said the accident was unrelated to the gunman, indicating the suspect who shot at the officer was not in the vehicle involved in the crash with the officer's patrol car.
Police believe the gunman either walked up to or drove up to the crash scene and fired at the officer, but authorities could not confirm how the suspect arrived at the scene.
Police are currently searching for a single suspect in the shooting.
Witnesses said the officer was pinned in her car at the accident, but authorities did not confirm that fact.
The officer did suffer an undisclosed injury and was taken to Highland Hospital for treatment. She was alert, conscious and talking after the car accident and is in stable condition, according to police.
The shooter remained at large as of early Sunday morning.
The area of the accident was blocked off and searched. Dozens of Oakland police officers, Alameda County Sheriff's deputies and California Highway Patrol officers took part in the search.
Several blocks in all directions were blocked while officers hunted for the shooter. The Oakland police helicopter also joined in the search.
Mayor Libby Schaaf and other city leaders visited the hospital to show their support for the officer.