A statewide Blue Alert has been issued following the shooting of a California Highway Patrol officer late Sunday night near Bakersfield.
UPDATE: Link is provided by the California Highway Patrol with updated info as they change.
http://www.chp.ca.gov/blue/blue_alert.php
According to the Fresno Bee, the incident happened about 10:45 p.m. when the officer was parked on the shoulder of westbound Highway 178.
A blue GMC Yukon with 24-inch wheels drove by, slowed, made a U-turn and headed toward the CHP officer.
At that time, someone in the back seat fired shots at the officer. The officer, who was struck in the left hand and chest, returned fire.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
The SUV sped east toward Lake Isabella. The officer could not pursue it because of a flat tire, according to the Fresno Bee report.
The CHP said the SUV driver is a Hispanic man in his 20s who was wearing a cowboy hat. One passenger was a Hispanic man in his 20s wearing a tank top. The weapon was believed to be a 9mm automatic, possibly a MAC-10.
The Yukon may have bullet holes in the left side, and the left rear passenger window was shot out. It was occupied by at least three men, the CHP said.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Kern County Sheriff's Department at 661-861-3110.
The Blue Alert program was established to provide quick alerts to the public after attacks upon law enforcement officers.
