INDIAN SHORES, Fla. (WFLA) – An Indian Shores police officer was intentionally hit and injured by a fleeing car early Tuesday morning after he pulled over two cars suspected of drag racing more than 70 mph on Gulf Boulevard.
Officer Matt Holm saw the two cars traveling northbound at a high rate of speed on the 2-lane road around 3:15 a.m. and pulled both cars over, according to Indian Shores Police Chief Terry Hughes.
“As he stepped out of the car, the first car he stopped decided to go around his vehicle and gunned it, intentionally tried to run the officer down,” said Chief Hughes. “For his safety the officer fired one round, the vehicle did hit him, put him on the ground, more shots were fired.”
The other officers arrived at the scene and found Officer Holm lying on the side of the roadway.
The car that intentionally hit Officer Holm sped away right after hitting Holm and continued driving on Gulf Boulevard.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies used stop sticks to deflate the car’s tires when the car reached Indian Rocks Beach. All four tires were flattened and the suspect got out of the car and ran away. He was captured about an hour later with the help of a PCSO K9 deputy and the PCSO helicopter.
The suspect was taken into custody. His name has not been released.
“There’s no doubt about it, the guy did intentionally tried to run him down,” said Chief Hughes. “He tried to kill the officer, tried to get away.”
The driver of the second car remained at the scene where Officer Holm was hit. He is being interviewed by deputies.
Officer Holms suffered non-life- threatening injuries. Chief Hughes did not say which hospital he was taken to.
Officer Holms has been with the Indian Shores Police Department for three years. He was placed on administrative leave, which is a standard procedure following an officer-involved shooting.
No other details have been released.
Stay with WFLA.com for updates about this story.
