Pasadena Police say a suspect shot at a police officer Monday evening, December 27th, but the officer only received a minor injury to the face. Police say a man approached them during a traffic stop near the CVS on Mountain and Mentor and claimed that someone was going to shoot him. When the Officers followed the victim to the CVS parking lot, investigators say 44 year old Sherwin Williams of Fontana fired a round from a handgun toward the victim and the police officers.
Investigators say the two cops shot at Williams because they feared for their safety and the victim’s safety. Police say Williams jumped into a car and sped toward the group, leaving the scene, but that he wasn’t hurt by gunfire.
Ten minutes later police found Williams vehicle in the 1000 Block of Chester Avenue. Authorities arrested him without incident and found his gun nearby. Police haven’t released the victim’s name, but say the shooting was the result of an on-going dispute between the two.
Police arrested Williams on attempt murder and put him in jail on $4 million bail. Police Chief Phillip Sanchez says several residents called 911 when they witnessed suspicious activity, which he says could have made all the difference in this incident. “It was clear to me that presence of the officers during the victim’s request for assistance averted a potential fatal outcome, ” Sanchez said.