Dashcam Shows Police Patrol Car Fired Upon During Chase

On October 23, 2016, at 04:34 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. 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.