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by David Taub
It is an incredible video to watch. What seems to be a routine patrol up in Madera turns into police car taking fire. It happened in early Sunday morning at Howard & Schnoor. A white Mazda failed to stop, leading to a pursuit. After running through a few stop signs, the Mazda fires at the police car, breaking the windshield.
In addition on the officer inside the vehicle, a civilian participated in a ride along. You can her her worried voice when she spotted a gun. She received minor scratches from the broken glass.
The vehicle got away for now.
The incident made national headlines:
ABC News: Police Dashcam Captures High Speed Chase, Shootout During Ride-Along
CBS News: Video captures chase, shootout with terrified passenger in police car
Daily Mail: Terrifying dashcam video shows suspects firing at patrol car…
The full Madera Police Department news release from Facebook:
On October 23, 2016, at 0434 hours a Madera Police Officer attempted to make an enforcement stop on a Mazda SUV traveling west on Howard Road at Schnoor Avenue. The vehicle failed to stop and led the officer on pursuit. When the pursuit turned onto Lighthouse Drive from Mainberry, the front passenger pointed a firearm out the window and fired approximately nine (9) rounds at the officer’s vehicle. The officer continued to pursue the Mazda and the passenger fired four more rounds at the vehicle as it approached Shannon Avenue. The police vehicle was struck by three rounds, two of them through the windshield narrowly missing the officer and civilian ride along who was riding in the passenger seat. The officer’s vehicle was disabled during the pursuit causing the officer to terminate.
The Mazda was later found abandoned on Krest Street a few blocks from where the pursing officer last saw the vehicle. Officer’s searched the area and located an AR15 style pistol and other evidence.
The officer was not injured during the incident. The civilian ride along received minor scratches from broken glass. The officer’s name is not being released at this time. The officer had recently been released from training and was on his second week as a solo officer. We are thankful and blessed that both the officer and civilian were not injured. The officer’s decisive actions prevented the civilian ride along from being seriously injured. The officer demonstrated a very cool demeanor for such a short time with the department.
The investigation is ongoing into identifying all persons in the vehicle. If you have any information, please contact Detective Sergeant Johnny Smith at 559-675-4291.
Lt. Chiaramonte 3466
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