Southbound Hwy 101 Reopens After Shooting Near Healdsburg
HEALDSBURG (CBS SF) -- Authorities were investigating a shooting on southbound U.S. Highway 101 near Healdsburg Thursday afternoon that left two men injured and shut down all southbound lanes for three hours.
Sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum said two shooting victims were found on the side of the highway just north of Westside Road.
The incident was reported at 12:15 p.m., CHP officials said. The California Highway Patrol, Healdsburg police and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office all responded to the incident.
CHP later clarified that the victim vehicle -- a white sedan -- encountered the suspect vehicle while travelling south on 101 just before the Dry Creek exit and shots were fired.
"They were southbound on Highway 101 near Westside Road when a white vehicle pulled up along side and started firing," said CHP Officer Jonathan Sloat.
Two young males inside the white sedan where hit by gunfire. One shooting victim was in critical condition while the other suffered moderate injuries. Both victims were from the area and transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
"They were responsive when emergency crews arrived on the scene," Sloat said of the victims.
There was no suspect or suspect vehicle description was immediately available from authorities.
"This type of thing does not happen in Sonoma County," said Sloat referring to the numerous highway shootings in the East Bay. "It's got us all very concerned."
A full highway closure was in effect at the Dry Creek Road on-ramp to southbound Highway 101 at 12:54 p.m., according to the CHP. The southbound lanes of Highway 101 reopened shortly before 4 p.m, though the Dry Creek Road on-ramp remains closed.
During the highway closure, traffic was diverted onto Healdsburg streets where traffic signals were set on flashing red mode for safety and to alleviate backups, the Healdsburg Fire Department said. They will remain on flashing red through the evening, returning to normal Thursday night.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
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