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HAWTHORNE (CNS) - A California Highway Patrol officer shot a man while investigating a report of a fire near an on-ramp to the San Diego (405) Freeway in Hawthorne, leading to a shutdown of the freeway's northbound lanes in the area for about eight hours, authorities said Friday.
The officer went to the westbound Rosecrans Avenue on-ramp to the northbound freeway about 7:15 p.m. Thursday on a report of a fire, according to the CHP.
"Upon arrival, the officer observed a fire at a homeless encampment along a freeway embankment," the CHP said in a statement.
"While the officer on scene investigated matters pertaining to the fire, he was approached by a combative male adult subject, resulting in an officer-involved shooting," according to the CHP statement. "Immediately following the shooting, the officer rendered medical aid to the suspect until relieved by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics."
The wounded man was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries described as not life-threatening, the CHP reported. The officer was not hurt.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the CHP Southern Division's Investigative Services unit at 323-644-9957.