CARLSBAD, Calif. — A Carlsbad police officer exchanged gunfire with a suspect overnight near Carlsbad Village.

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

The vehicle was driven by a 25-year-old man with no other occupants.

When approached by the officer, Lt. Shebloski said the driver pulled out a handgun and fired at least one round without warning. The officer immediately sought cover from the gunfire and returned fire with his service weapon.

According to police, the suspect drove south about one-eighth of a block before stopping. At that time, the officer called for additional units and a high-risk vehicle stop was conducted once additional officers arrived. A police dog was also on scene.

Lt. Shebloski said the suspect was given commands and complied with the officer’s directions. The man, now identified as Patrick Harold Doherty of Oceanside, was apprehended without further incident.

Neither the suspect nor the officer were struck by gunfire in the exchange, police confirmed. However, several rounds struck the suspect’s van.

A ghost-gun type handgun was seen by authorities on the driver’s side floorboard. Detectives from the SDPD spent several hours processing the scene and van to locate and recover evidence, Lt. Shebloski explained.

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 fired his weapon has been employed by the department since August of 2022, and is currently assigned as a patrol officer. His identity has not been released at this time.

Doherty was booked into the Vista Detention Facility for on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer, felony resisting, assault with a firearm on a police officer, and an outstanding arrest warrant for DUI.

Additional charges will be determined by the District Attorney’s office once detectives have completed their preliminary investigation at the scene, said Lt. Shebloski.

The San Diego Police Homicide Unit was called to the scene to conduct the officer-involved shooting investigation.

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