A man accused of following his estranged wife onto the 215 Freeway in San Bernardino, getting out of his car and striking hers with gunfire over the weekend was in critical condition on Tuesday, May 28, after police say they caught up with him and shot the 48-year-old as he left his car holding the gun.
The woman was not injured — even though Michael Vargas of San Bernardino put several bullet holes in the driver’s door of her car, police said.
No officer was reported injured, Capt. Nelson Carrington said, adding whether Vargas shot at officers was under investigation.
Police were called around 12:30 p.m. Sunday for a reported shooting on the northbound 215 at the Baseline Street exit. The victim told police her husband had followed her onto the freeway, where he got out of his car and fired several shots at her.
Officers went to Vargas’ home after they learned he had a warrant out for his arrest, accused of previously abusing his wife, police said.
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As police arrived at about 1:15 p.m., they said,Vargas was driving away.
“Officers conducted a traffic stop near Baseline Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue,” the police said in a statement. “The suspect abruptly exited the vehicle, armed with a loaded firearm, and (police shot him).”
The gun and a holster were found at the scene, in addition to a loaded magazine that was in a front pocket, police said. Vargas was hospitalized.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the police shooting.
Police ask anyone with information about either shooting to contact Detective Nicole Alvarez at [email protected] or at 909-388-4851.
