By Jessica Logan
The Press-Enterprise
CATHEDRAL, Calif. — Two California Highway Patrol officers and a Cathedral City police officer shot and killed a 32-year-old Joshua Tree man who they say shot at them during a pursuit early Thursday on Box Canyon Road off Interstate 10 near Chiriaco Summit, said a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
The man’s identity has not been released because his family has not yet been notified of his death, the release said.
A Cathedral City police officer tried to stop a man driving a late model pick-up truck for a traffic violation at the intersection of Verona Road and Ventura Drive, but the driver sped off and the officer chased him, the news release said.
The driver entered Interstate 10 at Ramon Road and drove east in excess of 80 miles per hour, the release said.
Two California Highway Patrol officers joined the pursuit.
Police say the driver leaned out of the window and shot at them during the pursuit, the release said.
The driver exited the freeway at Cottonwood Springs Road and drove south on Box Canyon Road, the release said.
The man then stopped and fired at officers, the release said.
The officers shot back and hit and killed the suspect, the release said. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, the release said.
All three officers involved were put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said.
After the shooting, investigators learned the truck the man drove was stolen Monday from Lake Havasu, Ariz.
Anyone with information about the incident can call investigator Ben Ramirez at 760-836-1632 during business hours or 760-836-3215 after hours.
Copyright 2007 The Press-Enterprise