Chargers Linebacker Foley Is Shot By Police Officer

Chargers linebacker Steve Foley was shot near his upscale suburban San Diego house by an off-duty policeman early Sunday morning in his second brush with police in 4 1/2 months. Coach Marty Schottenheimer said the wounds were not life-threatening.

"All we're worried about is that he's okay," Schottenheimer said in a telephone interview.

Foley's agent, David Levine, said Foley was shot three times and had surgery for wounds to his leg, arm and chest.

"He's out of danger at this point," Levine said.

Sheriff's officials said the early morning shooting occurred after the off-duty Coronado police officer followed a suspected drunken driver weaving in and out of traffic at speeds up to 90 mph on a highway. Authorities said the driver nearly collided with several other vehicles.

Foley stopped three times, sheriff's officials said. During one of the stops, Lisa Maree Gaut, a passenger in the vehicle, yelled at the officer, authorities said.

The shooting occurred after Foley got out of the vehicle near his home and began walking toward the officer, sheriff's officials said. Gaut got behind the wheel and drove next to Foley in the direction of the officer, the officials said.

The officer identified himself, authorities said, and warned Foley he was armed. He fired a warning shot, at which point Gaut steered the car at the officer, sheriff's officials said.

"The officer fired two rounds at the vehicle," sheriff's Lt. Dennis Brugos said. "The male then came at the officer and put his right hand by his waistband and the officer fired at him."

Paramedics were called to his neighborhood at 3:47 a.m. and transferred a trauma victim to Sharp Memorial Hospital, according to a fire department dispatcher.

Hospital spokeswoman Kathy Gambito said she did not have any information on a patient named Steve Foley.

"My understanding is he was shot three times in front of his house by an off-duty officer and that he's in surgery," Levine said.