Person shot by CHP officers to be charged with felony assault on a peace officer

The person involved in a shooting with CHP officers in the Toro Park neighborhood will be charged with felony assault with a semi-automatic firearm on a peace officer. The district attorney’s office identifies that person as 24-year-old Ari Geza Gold.

On July 23 at around 7 p.m., the CHP responded to a report of a reckless driver that was followed by a report of a hit-and-run crash near Estoque Place and Portola Drive. Officers Christopher Weaver and Kristi Cho responded and arrived at around 7:18.

Witnesses said they saw the driver of the hit-and-run vehicle go into a house at the end of Estoque Place. After the CHP arrived at that house, the owner arrived. She said she did not recognize the vehicle in the driveway and that her home should be empty. She said she did not give anyone permission to enter while she was gone.

After the officers surveyed the outside of the home, the DA’s office said the homeowner gave them permission to enter along with the keys. While searching inside, officers said they came to a locked door and the homeowner said she had left it open and unlocked.

The DA’s office said Weaver broke through the lock and the officers went into a master bedroom and bathroom. The DA’s office said Cho went into the bathroom and found Gold hiding in the shower stall.

Cho said Gold pointed a gun directly at her, so she fired her gun. Weaver also fired his gun. Two rounds hit Gold. He was taken to Natividad Medical Center for treatment. The DA’s office said a loaded semi-automatic pistol was found outside the bathroom where Cho found Gold. It said the hammer of the pistol was cocked and it had a live round in the firing chamber. It said the clip had six more live rounds.

The CHP do not have department-issued body cameras. Because of Gold’s injuries, there is no arraignment scheduled yet.