Officers Open Fire During Pursuit
RIVERSIDE (CNS) — A man allegedly rammed a police patrol car during a pursuit Monday, prompting officers to open fire on the suspect, before he surrendered, authorities said.
The officer-involved shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. near the intersection of Eureka Drive and Butte Drive, according to Riverside police Sgt. Derwin Hudson.
The suspect, 24-year-old Mark Anthony Soard, allegedly refused to pull over his pickup truck when officers tried to stop him for a traffic violation at California Avenue and Tyler Street, Hudson said.
Instead, Soard allegedly sped away, with officers in pursuit.
The suspect raced through the 6800 block of Butte, driving through front yards and striking a parked vehicle, according to Hudson.
When he reached Eureka and Butte, Soard stopped, threw his pickup into reverse and accelerated toward the patrol car, crashing into it, Hudson said.
"This action by the driver led to an officer-involved shooting," he said. "Although the suspect vehicle was hit, the driver was not struck by the gunfire and once again sped away from the officers."
According to Hudson, Soard stopped moments later in the 6800 block of Mendocino Drive and surrendered peacefully.
He was booked on suspicion of assault on a peace officer, reckless driving, hit-and-run and being in possession of a controlled substance. Soard is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail at the Robert Presley jail in Riverside.
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