Officer fires shots at reckless driver on Clearwater Beach

CLEARWATER (FOX 13) - Police said an officer fired shots at a vehicle that was driving recklessly on Clearwater Beach late Sunday night.

The incident started around 11 p.m. when police received a report of a reckless vehicle on South Gulfview Boulevard.

A responding officer spotted the car turn into the Shephard's parking lot and tried to make contact with the driver. Police said the vehicle fled into the neighboring Holiday Inn parking lot and then drove towards the officer in a threatening manner, running over a curb and some bushes.

Police said the officer, who was in fear for his life, fired shots at the car. The driver then fled the scene, but was eventually stopped and arrested in Belleair. He has been identified as 23-year-old Chris Chittarath.

No one was injured during the incident. Chittarath is facing a slew of charges.