A Southern California man is in critical condition after San Bernardino police shot him when he allegedly opened fire on his estranged wife on a freeway. The shooting incident on the northbound 215 Freeway occurred on Sunday, according to the San Bernardino Police Department, as reported by CBS News Los Angeles.
Michael Vargas, 48, of San Bernardino was identified as the suspect in the violent confrontation with his estranged partner. Authorities said the woman claimed Vargas followed her onto the freeway, got out of his vehicle, and fired several rounds at her. KTLA reported that despite the gunfire, the woman managed to evade injury and alert the police.
Later that Sunday afternoon, around 1:15 p.m., police spotted Vargas and tried to conduct a traffic stop. Vargas allegedly "abruptly exited the vehicle armed with a loaded firearm, and an officer-involved shooting occurred," according to statements given to KTLA. The injured Vargas was then taken to a local hospital for treatment.
A subsequent check revealed that Vargas had an outstanding out-of-county felony warrant for spousal abuse related to an earlier dispute with the same woman, as CBS News Los Angeles reported. Police recovered a firearm and holster, along with an extra loaded magazine from Vargas’ front pocket at the scene.
The San Bernardino Police Department Homicide Unit is currently investigating the shooting, alongside members of the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. Detectives are appealing to anyone with information about the incident to come forward and help with the ongoing investigation.
