An Oregon man who was shot by law enforcement officers following a pursuit in Shasta County that shut down southbound Interstate 5 for hours Thursday is reported in stable condition at a Redding Hospital.
The Redding Police Department reported that Albert Anthony Smith, 42, of Medford (right) has been arrested on suspicion of 11 counts of attempted murder on a police officer, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, possession of an assault weapon, importing an assault weapon into California, malicious harm to a police officer and the pursuit. Officials said Smith will be booked into Shasta County Jail when he is medically cleared.
A California Highway Patrol dog, Edo, was reported in good condition after being shot in the lower leg during the incident. Edo underwent surgery at a Mount Shasta veterinary hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, according to a Police Department news release.
The Redding Police Department has been designated the lead agency in investigating the shooting in which seven law enforcement officers were involved. Six of the officers are employed with the California Highway Patrol and assigned to the Yreka and Mount Shasta offices. The seventh is a Shasta County sheriff's deputy.
The incident began after Oregon State Police received several reports of a black GMC Safari van traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-5 near the Oregon border. The information was given to the California Highway Patrol and CHP officers located the vehicle near Yreka.
A pursuit ensued on southbound Interstate 5 and covered approximately 50 miles, with officers deploying spike strips on three occasions in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
Officials said the spike strips were effective and the vehicle came to a stop near Castella. When the driver got out of the vehicle he confronted officers with an assault rifle. Officers opened fire and Smith was hit multiple times, according to the news release.
Edo, the CHP dog, and two marked CHP vehicles also were struck in the exchange of gunfire.
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