Oceanside Shoot-Out Closes Highway; Suspect Wounded

A 36-year-old man was in critical condition Thursday night after a high-speed chase on College Boulevard and a shoot-out with police on a California 78 on-ramp.

Joseph Rex Bitto, residence unknown, was the only person wounded in the shoot-out, Oceanside Police Sgt. Bill Krunglevich said.

California 78 was closed at College from about 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., while police from Oceanside and Carlsbad, and Sheriff’s Department deputies surrounded Bitto’s car on the on-ramp to westbound 78.

At least three officers were involved in the 5- to 10-minute shoot-out.

The incident began about 6:30 p.m. after National City detectives had asked for assistance in apprehending Bitto on suspicion of attempted murder. Krunglevich said Oceanside detectives went to a residence in the 1900 block of Comanche Street.

When officers attempted to contact the man, he fled the scene with a woman, who was driving the car.

Krunglevich said the man then allegedly opened fire with an automatic weapon on pursuing officers at a traffic light at Oceanside Boulevard and Comanche. The chase then continued south on College, at speeds that reached 100 m.p.h.

“They then attempted to go west on State 78, but when they entered the on-ramp, she apparently lost control of the car and the engine cut out,” Krunglevich said.

The woman jumped out of the car and rolled over to the curb as the man exchanged gunfire with officers. Police officers ceased fire when they realized the man had stopped longer firing.

Bitto was taken by Life Flight helicopter to Scripps Memorial Hospital-La Jolla.

Sherry Allen, 31, was arrested and taken to the Oceanside police station for questioning.