UPDATE: DOJ assumes investigation into fatal officer-involved shooting on I-80

The California Department of Justice has assumed responsibility for investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting on Interstate 80 near Highway 4, Richmond police said Thursday, citing uncertainty over whether the person involved was armed at the time of the shooting.

In a detailed news release issued late Thursday, police said the shooting followed reports of a gold or gray Nissan sedan driving recklessly at high speeds through Vallejo and along westbound I-80.

“On January 22, 2026, at approximately 6:35 a.m., California Highway Patrol Golden Communications Center received multiple calls regarding a gold or gray Nissan sedan traveling westbound on Interstate 80 through Vallejo,” Richmond Police Lt. Patchin said. Callers reported the vehicle was “driving recklessly, at high speeds, cutting in and out of traffic, and was involved in several collisions.”

Police said a Richmond Police Department detective later encountered the vehicle stopped and blocking a westbound lane near Highway 4.

“At approximately 7:17 a.m., a Richmond Police Department detective was traveling westbound on I-80, near Highway 4 in an unmarked department vehicle,” Patchin said. “The detective stopped and activated their emergency lights to render aid to what appeared to be a stranded motorist."

According to police, the detective contacted an adult male standing near the vehicle who was holding a metal object.

“During the encounter, an altercation occurred with the individual, and the detective discharged their service weapon, striking the individual,” Patchin said.

Emergency medical personnel responded and transported the man to a local trauma center, where he later died. The detective sustained minor injuries and was treated at a hospital, police said.

Patchin said preliminary information indicates the Nissan sedan encountered by the detective “is the same vehicle previously reported to the CHP.”

The detective was not wearing a camera at the time of the shooting.

“At the time of the incident, the detective was not in uniform and was not wearing a body-worn camera because detectives assigned to investigative divisions are to wear business attire and are not required to wear body-worn cameras,” Patchin said.

Under California Assembly Bill 1506, the Department of Justice assumes responsibility for investigating officer-involved shootings when it is unclear whether a subject was armed with a dangerous weapon at the time of the shooting.

Anyone with information, including video recordings, is encouraged to contact the California Department of Justice, police said.

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