A man was shot and seriously wounded by Riverside police officers, who opened fire after he allegedly struck them with his car while attempting to get away, authorities said Monday.
The shooting happened about 11:50 p.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of University Avenue, near Chicago Avenue, according to the Riverside Police Department.
Officer Ryan Railsback said two patrolmen spotted a black sedan behind a business at the location and became suspicious, prompting them to investigate.
According to Railsback, the officers parked their patrol unit and approached the car on foot.
“As they approached, the driver put the vehicle in reverse, striking both officers,” he said. “An officer-involved shooting then occurred.”
The driver allegedly stomped his accelerator and went forward, at which point the car crashed into a parked vehicle, coming to a stop, according to Railsback.
Police provided no information on what the suspect and his passenger may have been doing at the time of the encounter.
The suspect, whose name was not released, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while his passenger, also not identified, escaped with minor injuries. He was not arrested.
The driver was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he remains in critical condition, according to Railsback.
The two lawmen suffered minor injuries. One required treatment at the scene by paramedics but no further care; the other was taken to the hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries and is expected to fully recover, Railsback said.
District Attorney’s Office personnel are investigating the shooting.