Temple Police Officer on Leave After Intense Chase with Suspect
Temple police are investigating after an officer opened fire on a suspect who almost ran them over with a car Thursday afternoon.
Around 3 PM, the officer initiated a traffic stop at West Avenue H and South 37th Street. The suspect sped off in their vehicle, which was later spotted in the 500 block of West Avenue V.
When officers approached the vehicle, the suspect again began speeding away, nearly hitting one of the officers. The officer opened fire, shooting twice and striking the suspect's vehicle.
No one was injured as a result of the shooting, and the officer avoided being hit by the vehicle.
The suspect abandoned the vehicle in the 1100 block of South 23rd Street and fled on foot through a neighborhood. Police were able to catch up with him and place him under arrest. Police had not released the suspect's name as of Thursday night, but said he had been booked into the Bell County Jail.
Since a gun was fired in this encounter, the officer who opened fire has been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed what happened to call the Temple Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 254-298-5500 or Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477. You can also contact Crime Stoppers at bellcountycrimestoppers.com or via the free P3Tips app.
You don't have to give Bell County Crime Stoppers your name.
Meanwhile, Temple PD has also released video of an April shooting incident. You can view it here. They're asking that anyone who has information about that shooting that could help with their investigation contact Crime Stoppers.