Police: St. Cloud officer shoots at suspect after being hit during traffic stop

ST. CLOUD, Fla. — A St. Cloud police officer shot at someone who allegedly hit him with their car early Sunday, the department said.

The incident happened just after midnight when the officer pulled the man over near Cypress Grove Court, police said.

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The driver fled the traffic stop, striking the officer, police said.

Police said the officer fired at the suspect’s vehicle and hit the driver’s side window.

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Justin Mitchell lives in the neighborhood and said he's glad he wasn't hit by gun fire, unlike his house.

"I am glad that it was the police that were firing and not the guy in the car. So yeah, it was a close call for sure.  Two to three shots were fired for sure and one was close to going into the back of my window there," said Mitchell.

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The person continued driving away, eventually jumping from the moving vehicle, which crashed into a parked car, according to police.

The officer suffered minor injuries, police said.

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Police said they have identified the suspect, but they haven't released the suspect's identity.

Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Cloud police at 407-891-6700 or Crimeline at 407-423-8477.

Cox Media Group