An Oceanside man suspected of firing at a Carlsbad police officer during a traffic stop late Friday night was arrested following a confrontation in which multiple shots were exchanged, according to San Diego police detectives investigating the incident.
Neither the officer nor the suspect were struck by the gunshots, said San Diego police Lt. Steve Shebloski.
The incident occurred shortly before 11 p.m. when an officer stopped a white Ford van at Madison Street and Oak Avenue in Carlsbad after witnessing the driver commit multiple traffic violations, Shebloski said. As the officer approached the van, he saw the driver pull out a handgun and fire at least one round at him without warning. He immediately sought cover and returned fire with his service weapon.
The suspect, who has been identified as 25-year-old Patrick Harold Doherty, drove south a very short distance before stopping, Shebloski reported. The officer involved in the shooting called for additional police units who, after arriving, gave the suspect commands, and he complied.
Doherty was apprehended several minutes later and booked into Vista jail for attempted murder of a police officer, felony resisting, assault with a firearm on a police officer, and an outstanding arrest warrant for DUI. Shebloski said that the filing of any additional charges will be up to the District Attorney’s office once detectives have completed their preliminary investigation.
While neither the officer nor Doherty was hit by the shots, several rounds struck the suspect’s van, according to police, who said they found a ghost gun on the driver’s side floorboard of the van.
The Carlsbad officer who fired his weapon has been with the department since August 2022 and is currently assigned as a patrol officer, Shebloski said.
The San Diego Police Department is investigating the incident per a countywide agreement that ensures no agency investigates its own police shootings. Anyone with information regarding the incident can call the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
