A Carlsbad police officer who returned fire when a driver shot at him during a traffic stop Friday night has been identified.
No one was injured in the shooting.
Officer Vincent Abbate has been employed by the Carlsbad Police Department for about 14 months and works as a patrol officer, according to San Diego police, who are investigating the exchange of gunfire.
Neither Abbate nor the motorist who allegedly fired at him were struck in the shooting, which occurred shortly before 11 p.m. The driver, who has been identified as 25-year-old Patrick Harold Doherty, is facing several charges, including attempted murder.
The incident began when Abbate pulled over a white Ford van at Madison Street and Oak Avenue in Carlsbad after witnessing the driver commit multiple traffic violations, San Diego police homicide Lt. Stephen Shebloski said in a news release.
Abbate was walking toward the van when he saw the driver pull out a handgun and fire at least one round at him without warning. Abbate immediately sought cover and returned fire with his service weapon, police said.
The suspect drove south a very short distance before stopping, either voluntarily or because of mechanical problems, Shebloski said. Abbate called for additional police units. Those officers gave the suspect commands and he complied and was arrested.
Doherty was booked into Vista jail on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer, felony resisting arrest, assault with a firearm on a police officer, and an outstanding arrest warrant for DUI. He is being held without bail.
Several rounds struck the suspect’s van. Officers found a 9mm “ghost gun” — an untraceable, homemade firearm assembled from parts — on the driver’s side floorboard of the van that was used in the shooting, Shebloski said.
San Diego homicide detectives conducted the shooting investigation under a countywide agreement that ensures no department investigates shootings involving its own officers.
