Indian Shores officer struck by suspect vehicle, fires gun

INDIAN SHORES (FOX 13) - An Indian Shores officer is expected to recover after being struck by a vehicle on Tuesday morning, leading him to open fire.

The incident occurred after 3 a.m. near the 19600 block of Gulf Boulevard. The officer, who has been with the agency for three years, saw two cars speeding northbound on Gulf Boulevard, according to Indian Shores Police Chief Terry Hughes. It's possible they were drag racing, and were reaching a speed as high as 70 mph, the chief said.

The officer initiated two traffic stops; one vehicle stopped, but another didn't.

During a Tuesday morning press conference, Chief Hughes explained that one of the drivers intentionally tried to strike the officer with his car. The officer fired one round. The vehicle did hit him, and the officer fell, and fired more shots.

The officer has non-life threatening injuries the chief said.

"He tried to kill the officer. He tried to get away," Chief Hughes said during the press conference. "I don't know what his motivation was."

The suspect, who has not been identified, was not injured and was taken into custody, deputies say. Gulf Boulevard is closed in both directions between 196th Avenue and Tiki Gardens. 

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office says they are investigating the officer-involved shooting.

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 13 for the latest.