HERCULES — A Richmond police detective on his way to work shot and killed a man Thursday morning on Interstate 80 after authorities say the man charged at him holding a car jack.
The shooting happened on westbound I-80 near the Highway 4 exit in Hercules during the morning commute, bringing traffic to a halt for several hours as authorities closed lanes to investigate the deadly encounter.
Authorities said the detective was driving in an all-black police SUV and dressed in a detective’s uniform, when he noticed a crashed vehicle stopped in the diamond lane. The detective, whose name has not been released, stopped his car and activated his lights behind the crashed vehicle, then noticed the man carrying a scissor jack and attempting to walk into traffic lanes, authorities said.
California Highway Patrol closed down all the westbound lanes of I-80 after a police involved shooting in Hercules, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
The man, who has not been publicly identified, allegedly then tried to open the detective’s vehicle, authorities said. When the detective exited, authorities say the man charged at him with the jack in hand. The detective drew his pistol and shot the man, according to police.
The wounded man was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
It was not immediately clear whether any video footage exists of the incident. Unlike patrol officers, detectives typically do not wear body cameras.
The California Highway Patrol shut down all westbound lanes of I-80 before the Richmond Parkway exit shortly after 7:30 a.m., backing traffic up into Vallejo. Motorists were urged to avoid the Carquinez Bridge and instead use I-780 to I-680 and cross the Benicia Bridge.
Authorities later closed a lane on eastbound I-80 and diverted traffic off the freeway at the Willow Avenue exit in Hercules. Helicopters circled the area as the investigation continued.
Freeway lanes were expected to be affected until at least 4 p.m., according to the CHP.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office will lead the investigation because the incident involved more than one police jurisdiction, the CHP said. The DA’s office spokesperson, Ted Asregadoo, said more information was expected to be released later Thursday.
Police conduct an investigation as California Highway Patrol closed down all the westbound lanes of I-80 after a police involved shooting in Hercules, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)