Merced CHP officer injured, shoots suspect, police say

A California Highway Patrol officer suffered injuries to his face and arms early Tuesday in Livingston and shot the alleged attacker, Livingston police reported.

The officer, whose name was not released, was taken to an area hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, Chief Ruben Chavez said in a telephone interview.

The suspect, 24-year-old Raul Maldonado, was shot once around 12:41 a.m. in the second story of a home in the 1400 block of Linden Court in Livingston, officers said in a brief news release.

Chavez said CHP officers received multiple 911 calls to respond to the home and requested Livingston police officers provide backup. Chavez said he could not comment on the nature of the 911 calls.

Once inside, police said, Maldonado allegedly attacked the CHP officer “unprovoked” and the officer shot Maldonado once. Police said Maldonado advanced again on the officers and two Taser stun guns were deployed, one by a CHP officer and one by a Livingston police officer.

Maldonado received medical treatment and is also expected to make a full recovery, police said.

Chavez said the motive behind the attack remains unclear.

A total of two CHP officers and three Livingston police officers were involved in the incident, police said.

Chavez said the case remains investigation and said there was no timetable immediately available for releasing the names of the officers involved.

Maldonado had not been booked into jail as of 7:15 a.m. Tuesday. Chavez said police would likely seek charges against Maldonado of attempted murder of a peace officer.

“He’s being interviewed by officers,” Chavez said.

Officer Moises Onsurez, spokesman for the Merced CHP office, declined to comment on the incident and referred all questions to the Livingston Police Department, the agency leading the investigation.

This story was originally published June 23, 2015 at 8:12 AM with the headline "Merced CHP officer injured, shoots suspect, police say."