CBS reporter caught near gun battle with ex-cop

A CBS News reporter found himself caught in the middle of a dangerous situation while reporting on the a gun battle between police and fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner in Big Bear, Calif., Tuesday.

CBS News reporter Carter Evans at scene of gun battle near Big Bear, Calif.

/ CBS

The bullets could be heard flying through the air when Carter Evans, a Los Angeles-based CBS News reporter called into KCAL-TV.

"We are right in the center of the action here," Carter said, as the scene unfolded live on TV.

Evans was in a civilian vehicle off of Highway 38 when authorities began shouting at people to leave the scene. One cop shouted, "Hey, get the f**k out of here, pal."

Evans told KCAL "we don't know where to go."

"We're staying here, we don't want to get caught in the crossfire ourselves," he said.

After some more gunfire and shouting, anchor Sandra Mitchell said she was trying to check back in with Evans. "Carter, are you there?" she asked. Evans did not respond, but unidentified voices could be heard in the background, "Down! Keep it down!"

• 2 deputies wounded in hunt for ex-LA fugitive cop
• KCAL: Transcript of Carter Evans' call

Evans is okay and unharmed. A couple of hours later, he called in again to say he was about 100 yards away from the cabin Dorner was hiding in. "It was like being in a war zone," he said of the gunfire.

"We did not know what we were rolling up on ... We just knew we were following some of the search team, and we jumped out of our vehicles to get down," Evans said.

Evans added that 20 feet ahead of his location he could see a rifle on the ground, ammunition, an assault weapon, clips and a bullet proof vest from one of the two sheriff's deputies who were wounded in the fight.

[SandraWelch]

Are you serious? Why is the media so involved in this, like too many other stories. Just what law enforcement needed, someone trailing behind them, wanting to make a name for themselves.

[Larkinvos]

"It was like being in a war zone." LIKE being in a war zone?

[Larkinvos]

"It was like being in a war zone." LIKE being in a war zone?

[goobler77]

Oh brother... talk about reaching for a story. A reporter happens to be where something is going on. This is news? I've watched gang bangers shoot it out from 20 feet away and I didn't feel the need to write an article about how I was "caught near a gun battle". I notice that picture of him is mostly his head... My guess would be thats all that would fit in the frame of the camera.

[Sharlene_S]

What about the audio CBS edited out that clearly has police screaming to "burn the motherfkr down!" "Burn it!" (?)
Christopher Dorner Shootout - Cops say "Burn It Down" (YouTube)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNk-bV40XMc&sns=em

[Tarzan98]

Man this is great. Who needs international war when you can go skiing in California and get in the middle of a gun battle all in the same sunny, beautiful afternoon in the mountains. I love L.A. and I love the U.S.A., just have to pack self defense with you any where you go.

[iainc2]

No doubt inappropriate response at this time, but it reminds me of the comedy movie called The Party with Peter Sellers. One of the initial scenes where both sides started to shoot at Peter Sellers in line with him annoying everyone and his use of the bugle, perhaps just as this reporter and his dramatic account whilst on the scene. ....

[Montana5]

Another stupid example of the egotistical news people trying to become part of the story.

[MrRoper]

You got that right. Just can't understand why the media acts the way they do.

[stick5003]

what makes you think he was trying to become part of the story? sounds to me like he just laid low when he needed to

[Jack-Blair]

This is as credible a story as Engel being "kidnapped."

[documemts]

When the bullets are flying best to stay low on the ground. Don't go moving around.