Interstate 15 reopens near Nevada state line after motorist allegedly fires at officers
Interstate 15 near the California-Nevada border was reopened in both directions Friday afternoon after being closed for several hours during a standoff with a motorist who allegedly fired at officers and then disappeared.
The major travel route between Southern California and Las Vegas was closed for nearly 11 hours as authorities searched for the suspected gunman, who had led California Highway Patrol officers on a brief chase being getting stuck.
The pursuit began at 2:18 a.m. when a CHP officer tried to stop a motorist driving at excessive speeds north of Baker, said Officer Adam Carmichall, CHP spokesman in Barstow.
During the pursuit, at least one shot was fired at a patrol vehicle, he said.
Shortly after the chase began, the driver’s vehicle became disabled in the center divider of the highway near Halloran Summit Road, just south of Primm, Nev., he said.
The driver, according to Carmichall, did not respond to officers’ commands.
After a seven-hour standoff, officers finally approached the vehicle and discovered it was empty.
Officers were searching the area for the motorist, he said. Authorities said they didn’t know of other people who might have been in the car.
The highway was closed from Halloran Springs to Cima Road, according to the California Department of Transportation.
By 10:52 a.m., the southbound lanes were reopened. Three hours later, the northbound lanes were opened.
Authorities said the search for the suspect will continue.
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UPDATES:
2 p.m.: This article was updated with the reopening of all lanes of Interstate 15.
10:55 a.m.: This article was updated with the reopening of southbound lanes of Interstate 15.
10 a.m.: This article was updated with details about the standoff and search for the suspect.
9:15 a.m.: This article was updated with a report of the driver firing at a patrol vehicle.
This article was originally published at 8:35 a.m.
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