CHP Officer Shot; I-680 Closed For Hours

A California Highway Patrol officer and a suspect were shot this morning on southbound Interstate 680 near Livorna Road in Alamo.

Both the officer and the suspect were taken to a local hospital in critical condition, according to the CHP.

The shooting happened about 8:20 a.m. on the right shoulder of the southbound lanes. The officer who was wounded did not call in. A 9-1-1 call by a concerned citizen came to Walnut Creek police that an officer needed assistance.

An officer from a second CHP car on the scene administered first aid before the victims were transported to the hospital.

Both sides of I-680 were shut down while the incident was investigated.

Shortly after 10:30 a.m., the northbound lanes were re-opened. There is still no estimate on when the southbound lanes will be open again.

Southbound 680 traffic is being diverted at Rudgear Road and Highway 24.

Patch readers stuck in traffic emailed photos and commented on the post-Labor Day traffic jam. Some reported taking an hour to go one mile.

A traffic map and photos from the crowded freeway can be seen here.

The CHP is asking for the public's help in locating a car involved in the incident. It's a 1998 black Nissan Maxima with California plates 5TZB244. If anyone sees that vehicle, they are asked to call 925-646-2441.

The CHP released this statement at about 10 a.m.:

     "At approximately 8:20 a.m., a Contra Costa area CHP officer made an enforcement stop on southbound I-680 just north of Livorna Road.

     For unknown reasons, gunfire was exchanged. There may have been another vehicle involved.

     CHP investigators are looking into that.

     The subject and the CHP officer were both seriously injured and taken to a local hospital."

     CHP officials said the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department will be the lead agency in this investigation.

      Patch editor Emily Henry is at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. She reports there is no official confirmation the officer or other victim is at the hospital, but CHP and other law enforcement vehicles are driving in and out of the parking lot. There reportedly will be a press conference at the medical center later.

Are you stuck in traffic? Snap a photo with your phone and email it to David Mills, carlos.villatoro@Patch.com.