Dad whose son vanished 2 years ago opens fire on officers, California cops say

A man whose 21-year-old son went missing on a hike two years ago is in custody after police said he fired on California Highway Patrol officers.

Matthew Weaver shot at the officers Monday evening in Sylmar after they responded to a report of a stolen car, CBS Los Angeles reported. Weaver’s brother told the station Weaver called the police on himself and there was no stolen car.

Three officers were under fire but none were injured, KABC reported.

Highway Patrol said Weaver went into a patrol car and “played with the lights,” according to CBS Los Angeles.

Weaver reportedly “staggered off” the road and “into a drainage ditch, possibly injuring himself,” KABC reported.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said on Twitter shortly after 3 a.m. that the suspect was in custody.

Weaver’s daughter, Colleen Weaver-Farrell, told The Local Malibu that her father’s mental health has been deteriorating Matthew Weaver Jr. vanished during a hike in August 2018.

Soon after his son’s disappearance in Malibu, Weaver reportedly told the publication that he was distressed over the “lack of attention” from the media and the “lack of effort” by police.

This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 11:09 AM with the headline "Dad whose son vanished 2 years ago opens fire on officers, California cops say."