CHP Shooting of Motorcyclist Still Under Investigation
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has been slow to release information regarding the gunshot death of Theodore Kenneth Keiper, 58, a resident of Casitas Springs which occurred on the afternoon of Saturday January 5th.
According to the most recent statement just released to the media by VCSD spokesman Sgt. Eric Buschow, the shooting involved two California Highway Patrol officers, but his office is performing the investigation as the incident took place in the Ventura County Sheriff’s jurisdiction. Buschow further declined to indicate whether or not Keiper was armed at the time of his death at the hands of law enforcement, stating only that “the investigation is ongoing.”
Keiper, who had been cited for speeding multiple times, had been observed by the U.S. 101 Ventura County CHP patrol driving a motorcycle at excessive speeds southbound on the Pacific Coast Highway, adjacent to the 101 freeway. When CHP officers attempted a routine traffic stop, Keiper “failed to yield, inciting a pursuit in excess of 100 mph,” Buschow reported to the media.
The high-speed chase followed Keiper onto the shoreline’s Hobson Road which led to the Padre Juan Canyon Road 101 overpass and into the adjacent foothills. Careening up the steep canyon road, Keiper apparently lost control of his motorcycle, crashed, and plummeted down a steep embankment. At that point, pursuing CHP officers alighted from their vehicle and discovered Keiper making “threatening and provocative movements that caused them to fear for their lives,” as described by the CHP report. At that point, “the officers reacted to the threat by firing their handguns,” Buschow reported.
Keiper was pronounced dead at the scene and toxicology tests are still pending to determine what may have motivated Keiper’s alleged behavior. CHP spokesman Steve Reid reported to the media that the two officers involved in the shooting have been put on paid administrative leave as per standard procedure.
Photo: Courtesy KEYT.com
Read more:
KEYT: CHP Shooting
VCStar: New Details Released in CHP Shooting that Left Motorcyclist Dead
