A dramatic police encounter on the northbound 71 Freeway near Butterfield Ranch Road and Euclid Avenue in Chino Hills resulted in a woman being shot by a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer on Friday, May 23, 2025, causing a full closure of northbound lanes and significant traffic disruptions during the start of the Memorial Day weekend.
The incident, which unfolded around 11:28 a.m., involved a woman reportedly armed with a knife and acting erratically, leading to a confrontation that ended in gunfire.
The woman was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, and all lanes were reopened by late Friday evening, but the event has raised questions about public safety, police response protocols, and the impact on local commuters.
Incident Details: A Tense Encounter on the Freeway
According to CHP Captain Salvador Suarez, the Inland Communications Center received multiple 911 calls around 11:28 a.m. reporting a female pedestrian walking along the right shoulder of the northbound 71 Freeway near Butterfield Ranch Road.
Callers described the woman as acting erratically and holding a knife, posing a potential threat to herself and others.
Responding CHP officers located the woman shortly after the calls were received.
“When the officer encountered the subject, she advanced toward them with the knife, refusing to comply with commands,” Suarez stated in a press briefing.
“This led to the officer discharging their firearm, striking the woman once.”
The woman, whose identity has not been released, was immediately transported to a local hospital in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
No officers were injured during the incident.
SkyFOX and SkyCAL footage captured the aftermath, showing a chaotic scene with over a dozen CHP officers on the freeway, two tents set up for investigative purposes, and a massive traffic jam stretching for miles.
The CHP issued a SigAlert at approximately 2:30 p.m., closing all northbound lanes and the Euclid Avenue on-ramp, with southbound lanes also experiencing significant backups due to rubbernecking and partial closures.
Traffic Impact: Memorial Day Weekend Chaos
The timing of the incident, coinciding with the start of Memorial Day weekend, exacerbated its impact on Southern California commuters.
The full closure of the northbound 71 Freeway between Butterfield Ranch Road and Euclid Avenue caused traffic to grind to a halt, with delays reported as far back as the 91 Freeway.
The CHP advised drivers to exit at Pine Avenue and seek alternate routes, such as the southbound 57 or 15 Freeways, to reach their destinations.
“It was a nightmare,” said commuter Maria Gonzalez, who was stuck in traffic for over two hours.
“I was just trying to get home for the holiday weekend, and suddenly we’re at a standstill with no information.
It’s frustrating, but I hope the woman is okay.”
By 5:15 p.m., the CHP reopened one northbound lane, followed by a second lane by 5:30 p.m., with all lanes fully operational by late Friday evening.
However, the ripple effects of the closure lingered, with traffic backups reported well into the night.
Ongoing Investigation: Questions and Community Concerns
The CHP is actively investigating the incident, with Captain Suarez urging witnesses to come forward with any information or footage that could assist in piecing together the events leading up to the shooting.
“We’re asking anyone who saw the incident or has relevant information to contact the CHP Inland Division at (909) 806-2400,” Suarez said.
While the CHP has not released details about the woman’s motives or mental state, the incident has sparked discussions about mental health crises and police use of force.
Community advocates in Chino Hills are calling for greater transparency as the investigation unfolds.
“We need to understand why this escalated to gunfire,” said local resident and advocate Javier Torres.
“Was there an opportunity for de-escalation?
These are questions the community deserves answers to.”
The incident also highlights the dangers of freeway-adjacent police activity.
The 71 Freeway, a critical artery connecting Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties, has a history of closures due to accidents and construction, including a fatal crash in 2019 that killed two people and a 2024 incident where a Caltrans worker was killed by a box truck.
Friday’s shooting adds to the freeway’s troubled record, raising concerns about safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
Context: The 71 Freeway’s Troubled History
The 71 Freeway, particularly the stretch near Butterfield Ranch Road, has been the site of multiple high-profile incidents in recent years.
In June 2019, a multi-vehicle collision involving a box truck resulted in two fatalities and five injuries, with southbound lanes closed for hours.
In May 2024, a Caltrans contract worker was killed, and another injured, when a box truck veered off the freeway and struck a cleanup crew.
Ongoing construction for the Riverside County Transportation Commission’s 71/91 Interchange Project, set to conclude in 2025, has also led to frequent lane closures, adding to the area’s traffic woes.
Friday’s shooting, while distinct from these prior incidents, underscores the challenges of managing safety on a heavily trafficked freeway prone to congestion and unexpected disruptions.
Community Response and Next Steps
As Chino Hills residents and commuters process the incident, local leaders are emphasizing the need for improved mental health resources and traffic management strategies.
The Chino Hills Police Department, operated through a contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, has not commented directly on the incident, deferring to the CHP’s jurisdiction over freeway matters.
However, the city’s official website encourages residents to stay informed about local construction and safety updates, including those affecting the 71 Freeway.
For now, the CHP continues its investigation, with a focus on reviewing officer body camera footage, witness statements, and any available dashcam or surveillance video.
The woman’s condition remains stable, and no charges have been announced as of Saturday morning.
Authorities have not disclosed whether the incident was related to broader issues such as homelessness or mental health crises, but these topics are likely to dominate community discussions in the coming days.
How to Stay Updated
For those affected by the incident or seeking further information, the CHP recommends contacting their Inland Division office.
Drivers are advised to check real-time traffic updates via the Go511 service, which posted about the SigAlert on X at 2:36 p.m. on May 23, warning of the closure and urging caution.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of freeway travel and the complex interplay of public safety, mental health, and law enforcement response.
As Chino Hills and the broader Inland Empire navigate the aftermath, the focus remains on ensuring transparency, supporting the injured woman’s recovery, and preventing future disruptions on one of Southern California’s busiest highways.
For updates on this developing story, visit Franknez.com or follow us on Facebook.
If you witnessed the incident, contact CHP at (909) 806-2400.
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