Two vehicles drag racing led to a traffic stop and eventually shots fired early Tuesday.
- Non-life threatening injuries for Indian Shores officer
- Officer struck by vehicle, fired shots at suspect
- Suspect in custody, police investigating
An Indian Shores police officer escaped serious injury when he was struck by a vehicle that sped off during the traffic stop at 3:15 a.m. The officer, 32-year-old Matthew Holm, fired shots at the Mazda sedan as it pulled away.
Holm was not seriously injured.
Indian Shores Police Chief Terry Hughes said the incident started when Holm pulled over two vehicles traveling more than 70 mph on Gulf Blvd.
As Holm got out of his cruiser, the driver of the vehicle revved the engine, then drove around the cruiser, struck Holm and sped off, Hughes said. The other driver did not leave the scene.
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies used stop stick to stop the vehicle about a mile away. The suspect was apprehended a short time later with the help of K-9s and a helicopter. The suspect, whose name has not been released, was not injured.
"He tried to kill the officer," Hughes said of the driver pulling off. "He tried to get away. I don't know what his motivation was."
Holm, who has been with the department for three years, will be placed on administrative leave.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is investigation.