A driver remained at large Saturday afternoon after shooting an off-duty officer with the cop's own gun in an argument after the pair collided on a Southern California freeway off ramp, officials said Saturday.
The argument began on an off ramp of the Golden State (5) Freeway in Castaic before dawn Saturday, authorities said.
The officer from the La Habra Police Department was shot in the arm and taken to a hospital. He is expected to survive.
Police, with the help of search dogs, were looking for the man and the weapon.
"It is very troubling," said Lt. Eddie Hernandez, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "We're very concerned that that gun might be out there and possibly used."
It was unclear if the gun was still near the scene of the fight or whether the man took it.
The stretch of freeway was expected to be closed through the day.
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Some residents in the area were relieved the officer was not gravely wounded, but said it will be tough to calm their nerves until the shooter is caught.
"I hope they catch the guy who did this," one resident said. "It's terrible."
Detectives hoped that an interview with the officer at the hospital would reveal why he was in Castaic and what led to the incident. La Habra is about 70 miles away from Castaic.
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