LOS ALAMITOS (CNS) - California Highway Patrol officers and Caltrans workers were fired on today by an apparent transient under the cover of foliage near the southbound Katella Avenue onramp to the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway in Los Alamitos, authorities said.
As officers arrived to assist Caltrans workers for maintenance at the off-ramp, a man opened fire on them from a tent under some brush about 9:40 a.m., said CHP Officer Todd Steaffens. It is unclear how many rounds were fired, but no one was hurt, Steaffens said.
The officers retreated and called for backup. As of late this morning, they were in a standoff with the suspect, who retreated back to the tent, Steaffens said. Officers were attempting to negotiate his surrender, he said.
The freeway was briefly shut down in both directions. The northbound lanes were subsequently reopened, but all southbound lanes remained closed between Cerritos and Katella avenues as of noon.
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