A Palm Bay man
The officer opened fire, hitting one of the man's passengers.
The shooting happened early Sunday morning at the rear of the Shull Manor Apartments on University Boulevard.
According to police, officers spotted James Turpin speeding down University Boulevard,
A caller to 911 reported hearing as many as 10 gunshots.
Police said the shots were fired by Officer Timothy Sonnenberg. They said it is the first time that Sonnenberg has fired his weapon in the line of duty since joining the force four years ago.
According to Melbourne police, Sonnenberg and another officer were outside their vehicle at the apartment complex checking on a reported suspicious vehicle when Turpin, 22, drove directly at Sonnenberg, who then fired his gun.
"A passenger was hit instead of the suspect, who was charged. There's a lot that goes into the type of evolving situations (in which) the officers have to make split
Carlos Vicente Abad, 20, was hit in his right arm and left shoulder. He's expected to recover. A second passenger was unharmed, according to police.
Police said Sonnenberg is on administrative duty, which is standard procedure.
The department's chief said he's grateful that the officers involved were not injured and that it appears that the shooting was within the department's policy.
The officer opened fire, hitting one of the man's passengers.
The shooting happened early Sunday morning at the rear of the Shull Manor Apartments on University Boulevard.
According to police, officers spotted James Turpin speeding down University Boulevard,
A caller to 911 reported hearing as many as 10 gunshots.
Police said the shots were fired by Officer Timothy Sonnenberg. They said it is the first time that Sonnenberg has fired his weapon in the line of duty since joining the force four years ago.
According to Melbourne police, Sonnenberg and another officer were outside their vehicle at the apartment complex checking on a reported suspicious vehicle when Turpin, 22, drove directly at Sonnenberg, who then fired his gun.
"A passenger was hit instead of the suspect, who was charged. There's a lot that goes into the type of evolving situations (in which) the officers have to make split
Carlos Vicente Abad, 20, was hit in his right arm and left shoulder. He's expected to recover. A second passenger was unharmed, according to police.
Police said Sonnenberg is on administrative duty, which is standard procedure.
The department's chief said he's grateful that the officers involved were not injured and that it appears that the shooting was within the department's policy.
Turpin is charged with aggravated assault with a motor vehicle and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.
WFTV
