Man shot after allegedly trying to run down officer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A man who police said tried to run down an officer was booked into jail Friday.

James L. Kearse, 35, is recovering from a gunshot to the elbow and faces two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, stemming from an undercover police surveillance operation.

The incident happened on Big Ben Drive near Jimmie Ann Drive Thursday evening.

Police said they tried to stop a silver car when it suddenly took off and nearly ran over an officer.

Officers said that is when they fired shots at Kearse, hitting his elbow.

"There's a gunshot victim. We believe the gunshot victim is who was driving that car and tried to run my officers down," said Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood.

Hospital officials told police Kearse came in with a gunshot wound a short time later. He was arrested.
 
The officers are on administrative leave, pending an investigation.

WFTV