CHP: Suspect Threw Knife At Officers, Forcing Them To Open Fire
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A clearer picture of the situation that led to a California Highway Patrol officer firing his gun is emerging.
Early Friday afternoon, CHP says Caltrans was clearing a homeless camp near the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on-ramp to Highway 99 when workers were allegedly threatened by a homeless man, now identified as 57-year-old Som Chanthachem, armed with a knife.
According to a report released Saturday, CHP says two officers came to help, only for Chanthachem to throw the knife. One of the officers was hit in the thigh.
One round was fired at Chanthachem by officers, CHP says, but the suspect was not hit.
Chanthachem took off and was soon confronted by another officer. Chanthachem allegedly picked up a metal brake disk off the ground and attacked the officer with it.
The officer managed to take Chanthachem to the ground, however, and with the help of a Taser he was finally taken into custody.
CHP says two officers were treated for minor injuries due to the incident.
Chanthachem has been booked at Sacramento County Jail and he's now facing resisting arrest, battery and assault with a deadly weapon charges.
