Tow truck driver shot, attacker killed, freeway snarled [Marine Base, California]

San Diego Union-Tribune ^ | May 1, 2002

[Shermy]

CAMP PENDLETON – A man shot and wounded a tow truck driver then fled onto a military base, where he was killed by law enforcement officers Wednesday.

The confrontation along the edge of Camp Pendleton caused morning traffic to back up for nearly four miles on southbound lanes of Interstate 5, the only freeway in the coastal area 35 miles north of San Diego.

The unidentified gunman shot a freeway service patrol driver about 7:30 a.m. The reason for the shooting was not known, California Highway Patrol spokesman Larry Landeros said.

The suspect then walked away making "hand gestures to motorists on the I-5," Landeros said. He crossed onto the Camp Pendleton Marine base, where he was confronted by law enforcement officers and fatally shot, Landeros said.

"He became uncooperative, so they shot him," he said.

Military police, CHP officers and San Diego County Sheriff's deputies were involved in the confrontation, Landeros said.

The tow truck driver, who is part of a patrol that offers free assistance to stranded motorists, was airlifted to a San Diego hospital where he was listed in critical condition and was undergoing surgery for gunshot wounds to the stomach and buttocks, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

[Shermy]

This in your neck of the woods. Found it while looking for missing kid stories. Any further word?

[Poohbah]

Outstanding work by the cops.

Here's a hint, criminals: your due process rights require you to cooperate with the police while being arrested.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Glad they got the AH. One down, many more to go.

Hope the tow truck driver pulls through.

[dcwusmc]

Where did you find this? I need to check some more... thanks for the post!

[JustAmy]

Camp Pendleton is south of Fresno about 5 hours.

[gridlock]

"He became uncooperative, so they shot him," he said.

Hmmmm. Must have been MP's.

[Shermy]

I went to "newspapers" at Yahoo. Here's a link to a Yahoo index of local T.V. Stations. I just took a look, there are stories with pics there (Channel 10, 8, etc.)

Yahoo - San Diego TV Stations

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Its south of LA a few hours too!

Would be close to Oceanside.

Ping for Dalereed - FYI!

[Poohbah]

When the MPs say "HALT!" it's generally a good idea to...well...halt.

[FreeTally]

Note to criminals: A Military base might not be the best place to flee to after you comitt a crime. Bases look unkindly upon tresspassers of any sorts.

[Fred Mertz]

The suspect then walked away making "hand gestures to motorists on the I-5," Landeros said.

Sounds to me like this guy went over the edge mentally. Too bad he was armed, otherwise someone may have been able to get him help for whatever was ailing his mind.

[dcwusmc]

Would be AT Oceanside... main gate's just off I-5 in the heart of O'side... Baslione Road gate is at San Clemente...

[g'nad]

"He became uncooperative, so they shot him," he said.

Hmmmm. Must have been MP's.

Yup...sure sounds like the MPs I know...

[jwfiv]

Local radio here in SD say the schmuck walked into a USMC "law enforcement training exercise" being held on Pendleton.

Bunch o'jarhead MPs on the shooting range. Uh oh, he sez. Boom, they sez.

[Shermy]

Video link at local Channel 10 says shooter presumed to be stranded driver...no motive for shooting...unarmed marines in nearby barracks heard shots, came out to help victim...shooter shot at them too...hopped a fence "into" the base...MPs came, so did several LOE's from various departments because by coincidence they were near-by in some sort of training event (on freeway maybe?)...tow truck driver in stable condition...

[Poohbah]

Local radio here in SD say the schmuck walked into a USMC "law enforcement training exercise" being held on Pendleton.

Paging Professor Darwin...Paging Professor Darwin...Professor Darwin, please pick up the white courtesy phone.

Bunch o'jarhead MPs on the shooting range.

Live fire training on live targets...

Uh oh, he sez.

Probably more like "[Sexual relations] me!"

Boom, they sez.

More like BANG! BANG! "Halt!" BANG! BANG! "Or we'll open fire!" BANG! BANG!

[Cicero]

What kind of "hand gestures"? Did he give them the finger? Did he just shrug? Or was he directing traffic?

[kellynla]

Allright Marines, today we are going to have live fire training on movable objects...all ready on the left...all ready on the right...all ready on the firing range...fire at will! Personally I wouldn't object if they moved the firing range a little closer to the border...