A Carlsbad police officer faced life-threatening hostility during a routine traffic stop on the night of October 20. The driver, armed with a 'ghost gun,' fired at the officer, sparking a critical investigation by local and federal authorities.
The Carlsbad Police Department states that the officer stopped a white Ford Van for numerous traffic infractions. This led to a confrontation with the driver, Patrick Harold Doherty, who fired a round at the officer. The officer returned fire, took cover, and promptly apprehended Doherty without further incidents happening.
Neither Doherty nor the officer, encountering the ghost-gun type handgun was injured. It raises substantial concerns about the increase of these unregulated firearms and their inherent potential threats to society. The incident happened against ongoing discussions and efforts to tackle ghost guns, along with concerns about police use of force.
