On 5/26/2024 at about 12:32 p.m., San Bernardino Police Officers were dispatched to a shooting that occurred near the northbound I-215 offramp at Baseline Street. The victim of the shooting told police that her estranged husband followed her onto the freeway, where he exited his vehicle and fired multiple rounds at her. The victim was able to escape without injuries and called the police. Officers contacted the victim and observed several bullet holes on the driver's side of her vehicle. The officers identified the suspect as Michael Vargas (48 years resident of San Bernardino). A records check showed Vargas had an out-of-county felony warrant for spousal abuse, which stemmed from an earlier altercation with the same victim. At about 1:16 p.m., officers located the suspect leaving his residence in a separate vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop near Baseline Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue. The suspect abruptly exited the vehicle, armed with a loaded firearm, and an officer-involved shooting occurred. Vargas’s firearm and holster were recovered at the scene, along with an additional loaded magazine in his front pocket. Officers summoned medical aid to the scene, and Vargas was transported to a local hospital, where he's currently in critical condition. The San Bernardino Police Department Homicide Unit responded to handle the investigation along with members of the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office who will oversee the investigation. Handgun and extra magazine recovered from Vargas
Anybody with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective N. Alvarez at Alvarez_Ni@sbcity.org (909) 388-4851 or Sergeant J. Plummer at Plummer_jo@sbcity.org (909)384-5613