One sailor was shot by Naval security forces and another was taken into custody uninjured after they allegedly smashed their vehicle into two security units during a chase on the San Diego Naval Base early Saturday morning.
The shot sailor was transported to UCSD Medical Center where he successfully underwent surgery. He is expected to recover.
At about 1:35 a.m., the two sailors, whose names have not been released, arrived at the Naval Base gate where they were stopped due to a "very strong suspicion" for drunk driving, said Brian O'Rourke, Navy Region Southwest public affairs officer.
The gate guard called Navy dispatch, but instead of waiting for Navy officers to arrive on scene, the sailors sped off, and a small vehicle chase began, the Navy said.
"This was extremely rare," O'Rourke said. "I've been here for 5 1/2 years, and I can't remember hearing somebody say, 'I'm just going to run for it.'"
The two sailors approached another Navy gate, but per Navy security protocol, the gate was shut down. O'Rourke said the sailors then smashed into two security cars, and as they attempted to smash into a third, officers fired upon their vehicle.
No charges have yet been filed.
Local
The incident occurred days after the Navy completed a nationwide security exercise to improve the readiness of its security forces and their reponses to base threats.
