MADERA – The Madera County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating a California Highway Patrol officer involved shooting following a multiple-freeway high speed chase involving several officers an lasting over twenty minutes.

Early Saturday morning California Highway Patrol Officers initiated a vehicle stop for speeding on Highway 152 just West of Freeway 99. The vehicle failed to yield, increased its speed, and continued travelling southbound on Highway 99.

The vehicle exited the highway at Avenue 9. In what appears to be an attempt to get away from officers, the suspect rammed his vehicle into CHP vehicles. When the vehicle finally came to a stop near Road 39, a male subject exited the vehicle with a knife in his hand. California Highway Patrol Officers deployed a Taser to restrain the subject with no effect.

Following several warnings to drop his weapon, the subject then charged officers with the knife, resulting in several officers discharging their firearms, striking the subject several times.

According to Madera County Sheriff’s Commander Bill Ward the suspect was transported to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno where he is still under sedation. “I don’t even think we’ve made a positive ID yet.”

"Highway patrol tried to Taser him it did not work then the suspects charged at the officers with a knife the officers shot him several times," Ward added.

All of the involved CHP officers were uninjured. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 675-7770 or Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).