SALEM, Ore. (KOIN) – A 37-year-old man was charged with attempting to kill a Keizer Police Department sergeant.
Jose Antonio Hernandez of Salem was booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of attempted aggravated murder, unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a firearm and more, authorities said.
On Friday around 2:30 a.m., the KPD sergeant tried to stop a red 1997 Honda. The sergeant caught the vehicle speeding and learned Hernandez’s insurance had expired, according to police.
The sergeant activated his vehicle’s patrol lights to make the traffic stop, but another car attempted to physically block the sergeant.
Police said the second vehicle was trying to let Hernandez escape, but the sergeant was able to outmaneuver the car and continue to chase Hernandez.
As the vehicle was still moving, Hernandez jumped from it. The sergeant reported that as he exited, Hernandez got into a “shooting stance.”
The sergeant reported that as Hernandez exited his vehicle, he moved towards the trunk and began to raise his right hand. The sergeant saw Hernandez had “a large unknown black object in his hand.”
It was later determined that the object was a 1911 Colt handgun.
Police said Hernandez pointed the handgun at the sergeant and attempted to fire it, but “for an unknown reason, the handgun did not discharge.”
Hernandez dropped the gun, picked it up and started running through a grocery store parking lot. As he ran, Hernandez dropped the firearm again. Police later recovered the gun and found it to be loaded with a round in the chamber.
The suspect tried hiding in nearby bushes but was taken into custody.
Inside the vehicle that Hernandez had been driving, police found an electric stun gun. It appeared the vehicle’s ignition had been jammed with a shaved key. Live rounds were also found inside the Honda, police said.
Hernandez appeared in court on Monday.
Filed under: Crime, Marion County, News, Violent Crime
