Suspect opens fire on Leesburg police officer during foot chase
An aggravated assault suspect opened fire on a Leesburg police officer Tuesday afternoon and led the officer on a foot chase across a highway, according to a department spokesman.
Senior Officer Mark Johnson, 31, responded to a 911 call from a person who said a man pointed a gun at them in a neighborhood near Glen Ridge Drive and Maugans Avenue, Capt. Joe Iozzi said.
Johnson saw the suspect, Donaven Owens, 20, walking on Glenn Ridge Drive. While Johnson was getting out of his patrol car, Owens began to shoot at him with a handgun, hitting the patrol car at least once in the hood and windshield, Iozzi said.
Johnson shot back and was seeking cover when he fell backward and hit his head on the pavement. Owens ran west toward U.S. Highway 441.
Johnson got up and chased Owens on foot. He notified other officers over his radio that Owens was heading toward the area near Shamrock Lounge, Iozzi said.
Owens crossed the highway, pursued by responding officers. The highway was shut down briefly as officers secured the area.
One officer, whose name was not released, attempted to stop Owens by hitting him with his patrol car. Owens made it across the highway and was arrested in a nearby field, said Iozzi. He threw his gun underneath a car parked close by.
Johnson was transported to Leesburg Regional Medical Center to receive treatment for his head injury. He has been released from the hospital with a concussion, Iozzi said.
Owens was transported to the same hospital with minor injuries. Neither man was hit in the shootout.
Charges are pending against Owens, Iozzi said, and will probably include attempted murder on a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault with a firearm.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit assisted in the investigation and crime scene processing, Iozzi said.