Apparent road rage incident leads to shooting involving off-duty cop in Murrieta
MURRIETA, Calif. - An investigation is underway after an apparent road rage incident between two people in Murrieta led to a shooting involving an off-duty Hemet police officer.
According to police, officers responded to the parking lot of a shopping center at 39540 Murrieta Hot Springs Road just after 9 a.m. Monday.
Police say two individuals were involved in a road rage incident that occurred on city streets. It then led to the parking lot of the shopping plaza where an off-duty officer saw what happened and intervened.
It's unclear what happened next that led to the gunfire.
At the scene, officers located a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital where he was listed in critical condition, authorities said. No one else was injured.
The officer had just left the gym when he witnessed the altercation. Another gym-goer described his actions as heroic.
"From what I hear, amazing, heroic. Because it could have gone wrong in so many different ways," one woman said.
A handgun was recovered from the scene and officials said the Hemet police officer is cooperating with the investigation.
The District Attorney is conducting an independent review of the incident.