The Tuolumne County man who engaged in a gun battle with California Highway Patrol officers on an Oakland freeway was a paroled bank robber who could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted under the state's "three strikes and you're out" law, authorities said Monday.
Byron Williams, 45, of Groveland was armed with a handgun, a shotgun and a rifle when he opened fire on CHP officers in Oakland early Sunday after being pulled over on westbound Interstate 580 west of Grand Avenue, authorities said. He was speeding and weaving in traffic in his mother's Toyota Tundra pickup truck, the CHP said.
Williams, who was driving on a suspended license, was shot numerous times by officers but survived his injuries because he was wearing a bullet-resistant vest. He was in serious but stable condition Monday at Highland Hospital in Oakland.
Suspect in California Freeway Shootout Faced Third Strike
The man who engaged in a gun battle with California Highway Patrol officers Sunday on an Oakland freeway was a paroled bank robber who could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted under the state's "three strikes and you're out" law, authorities said Monday.
More Patrol

Streamlight Marks 15 Years of Support for Breast Cancer Research Foundation With $20k Donation
In its 15th year of supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Streamlight donated $20,000 to help in the fight against cancer. Donations were generated through the sale of special Wedge XT models and other pink flashlights.
Read More →
Police-Led Mental Health Charity Expands to Include Veterans
Talk To Me Post Tour (TTMPT), a non-profit organization that has been providing peer-support programs and professional psychological support for first responders, is now expanding services to military veterans.
Read More →
WakeMed Campus Police Officer Killed in Hospital Shooting
A WakeMed Campus Police Officer died after being shot in the lobby of the emergency department at a North Carolina hospital over the weekend.
Read More →
Video Shows Barricaded Suspect Fall Through Ceiling and Into SWAT Custody
Deputies in Indian River County, Florida, apprehended a suspect after he fell through the ceiling with SWAT members waiting below. The sheriff’s department released video of the apprehension.
Read More →From the Show Floor: T2 Systems
Learn about T2 Systems and its electronic parking enforcement solutions. Retired Chief John Holland outlines the benefits of using such a system to manage parking enforcement.
Read More →
Texas Police Department Adds Reconview Tower
A Texas police chief shares how the Decatur Police Department will use its new Reconview observation tower.
Read More →From the Show Floor: Traka
Join POLICE as we visit with Steve Atkinson of Traka and learn about the company’s asset management cabinets and key lockers.
Read More →
Team Wendy Shares New DREW Data During Personal Armour Systems Symposium
Team Wendy shared data about DREW, a biofidelic helmet-test rig built to simulate real head-to-ground falls and capture both linear and rotational head motion, during the recent Personal Armour Systems Symposium in Belgium.
Read More →
2026 US Police and Fire Championships to Unite First Responders in San Diego for 59th Annual Event
The 2026 US Police and Fire Championships, featuring more than 35 Olympic-style events and new competitions, will return to San Diego, California.
Read More →
FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends to Host Live Audience for National First Responders Day
In honor of National First Responders Day, FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends will host a live audience made up of first responders and their families. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel have been invited to attend the live program.
Read More →
