Carlsbad Shooting: Police Neutralize Threat After Gunfire Exchange

Shooting Incident in Carlsbad, California

A police officer in Carlsbad exchanged gunfire with a suspect during the night near Carlsbad Village.

According to Lieutenant Steve Shebloski of the San Diego Police Department, the officer pulled over a white Ford van at the intersection of Madison Street and Oak Avenue in the city of Carlsbad after witnessing the driver commit multiple traffic violations. This occurred around 10:54 p.m.

The vehicle was being driven by a 25-year-old male who did not have any other passengers.

As the officer approached the driver, Lieutenant Shebloski said that the driver pulled out a handgun and fired at least one shot without warning. The officer immediately sought cover from the gunfire and responded by firing back with their service weapon.

According to the police, the suspect drove south for about an eighth of a block before coming to a stop. At that point, the officer requested additional units, and a high-risk detention was carried out once more officers arrived. A police K-9 was also present.

Lieutenant Shebloski said that the suspect was given commands and complied with the officer's instructions. The man, now identified as Patrick Harold Doherty from Oceanside, was arrested without any additional incidents.

Both the suspect and the officer were unharmed by the gunfire exchange, confirmed the police. However, several shots struck the suspect's van.

A "ghost gun" type pistol was seen on the driver's side floor, according to the authorities. Detectives from the San Diego Police Department spent several hours processing the scene and the van to locate and recover evidence, explained Lieutenant Shebloski.

During that time, the public was asked to avoid the area of Oak Avenue and Madison Street, which has since been reopened.

The Carlsbad police officer who discharged their weapon has been employed in the department since August 2022 and currently serves as a patrol officer. Their identity has not been disclosed at this time.

Doherty was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer, aggravated resistance, assault with a firearm on a police officer, and a pending arrest warrant for driving under the influence (DUI).

Additional charges will be determined by the District Attorney's Office once the detectives have completed their preliminary investigation at the scene, said Lieutenant Shebloski.

The Homicide Unit of the San Diego Police Department was called to the scene to conduct the investigation of the shooting involving the officer.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit of the San Diego Police at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

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