CHP Officer to Face Counts in Shooting of Man
A California Highway Patrol officer is facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the shooting of a drunk-driving suspect at a labor camp, officials said Wednesday.
Highway Patrol investigators and Fresno County Sheriff’s Department detectives arrested Officer Mark Maloney on the charges after interviewing witnesses to the Sunday night incident.
Investigators said they have not yet determined whether Maloney, 46, fired the shotgun that wounded Serefino Guzman, 31, of Fresno on purpose or accidentally.
The incident began when Maloney, who was off duty, spotted Guzman driving in an erratic manner about 6 p.m. Sunday.
Maloney was in his pickup truck and followed Guzman’s car to the labor camp. He confronted him there with a shotgun, telling Guzman that he was under arrest.
Witnesses told investigators that Guzman tried to push the shotgun barrel away and it went off, hitting Guzman in the left hand. He lost part of his hand, including two fingers.
Guzman was released after treatment for the wound at a Fresno hospital, but investigators said they will probably file drunk-driving charges against him.
Maloney was arrested Sunday night on the charges and is free on bail. He has been restricted to office duty until the case is concluded.
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