CHP officer dies of injuries from shootout
A California Highway Patrol officer died Wednesday night, a day after he was gravely wounded in a freeway shootout in Contra Costa County, the agency said in a statement.
Officer Kenyon M. Youngstrom, 37, a seven-year CHP veteran and father of four who lived in Cordelia, was wounded Tuesday morning moments after he pulled over a motorist in a green Jeep Wrangler on Interstate 680 just south of Walnut Creek.
The driver quickly pulled out a gun and opened fire on the officer, authorities said. A second officer who arrived at the scene shot the motorist, who was later pronounced dead at the same hospital. He was identified as Christopher Boone Lacy, 36.
“This is a very sad day for the CHP as well as all Californians,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Officer Youngstrom was a valued member of the CHP family, a dedicated officer and soldier who gave his life serving the people of California.”
The CHP, Contra Costa sheriff and district attorney’s offices are investigating the incident, including the circumstances that led up the shooting.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
