Armed Man Is Shot by CHP Officer : Violence: Authorities say the driver, pulled over on the Hollywood Freeway for speeding, was wounded after pointing a gun at the officer.

UNIVERSAL CITY —  A man thought to be a security guard was shot Monday morning by a California Highway Patrol officer after he reached for his gun, police reported.

In a news conference after the 11:53 a.m. incident, Central Area Division Chief Edward Gomez told reporters that a 28-year-old California Highway Patrol officer pulled over a man in uniform near Universal City after the man sped on the southbound Hollywood Freeway near Lankershim Boulevard. Gomez said that as the officer approached the vehicle, he noticed the man reaching for a weapon.

After “numerous commands” to drop the weapon, the driver began to point the loaded gun at the officer. The officer shot the man once in the right hand, which was holding the gun, Gomez said. The shot traveled through the man’s hand and entered his chest.

The victim, whose name was not released, was listed in stable condition at Holy Cross Hospital on Monday after he underwent emergency surgery to remove the bullet.

The man is thought to be a security guard because he wore a uniform, but Gomez said officers still had not determined where he was employed and if he had permits to carry a weapon.

“Regardless of what permits anybody had, if a peace officer tells you to drop your weapon, you should drop it,” Gomez said.

Gomez would not release the victim’s name or type of gun he had, but he did say officers are investigating whether the gun belonged to the victim.