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.

[Liberal Classic]

Darwin Award.

[piasa]

He's a Darwin Award Candidate

[Poohbah]

Verily did he defieth Father Darwin, and Father Darwin smote him cruelly...

[wimpycat]

My cousin's ex-husband was arrested on Camp Lejeune a few years back, after he was pulled over while taking a shortcut (so he says, or he may have been doing some highly illegal deer hunting) through the back gate. Anyway, he had a hunting rifle or shotgun in his truck at the time. He said when the MPs saw the gun, "they didn't ask me to step out of the truck, they yanked my ass out of the truck." (He ended up not doing any jail time, whatever he was convicted of.)

No, they don't take too kindly to interlopers with firearms.

[usadave]

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

Love it, love it, love it!!! One less piece of scum walking our streets.

[CyberAnt]

"outstanding work by the cops"

Well ... there is more to the story - it seems that a Marine from Camp Pendleton (who was in the traffic on his way to the base), got out of his vehicle and dragged the truck driver out of the line of fire to keep him from being shot more times. I heard this on KOGO 600 AM here in San Diego. I'd say that's a little more than "outstanding".

[Uni-Poster]

The new story is that the Marine picked up the tow driver and carried him off the road to safety and the now dead perp fired a few rounds at him while doing this. He was shot by MP's according to news tonight. They saw him, headed his way, he showed the gun, and they popped him. Tow driver is going to be ok they say, got 1 round in the stomache and 1 in the hind quarter.

[Grampa Dave]

This guy was not one of our nation's brightest! Shooting at a Marine helping the victim he shot and advancing with a gun with armed Marines MPs. They don't become MP's by being bad shots and not able to respond to serious situations!

I still want to see a picture of this Darwin award winner and how he spells his name!

[CyberAnt]

Thanks for the update - I hadn't heard any more about it.