JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A police officer struck by a car outside a busy Jacksonville nightclub during New Year's Eve celebrations early Sunday morning fired shots at the driver, who was not hit and quickly taken into custody.
It happened in the parking lot of Pure Nightclub, at the intersection of Baymeadows Road and Philips Highway.
Police said as people were leaving the club, a Dodge Charger appeared to be driving slowly, then suddenly started speeding. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Chief Chris Butler said the car clipped a cone and struck a car before running into Officer D.E. Holly Jr., who was working off-duty.
Holly fired twice at the driver, 29-year-old Cecil Evans, as he tried to drive away. Evans was not injured.
“Police Officer Holly chases after the car on foot. He discharges his service weapon two times into the suspect’s vehicle," Butler said. "One struck the back windshield. One struck the rear driver side vent window by the back door. The suspect continued to drive forward in an eastward direction in the parking lot but had to stop because of all the congestion with all the cars trying to get out of the parking lot.”
Other officers on the scene took Evans into custody.
Police retrieved an AK-47-style rifle from the front seat of the car. Police said it appeared to have a full magazine of ammunition.
Officer Holly was not hit and suffered no serious injuries. He has been with JSO for 25 years and retires in 35 days. This was the second time in his career he fired shots at a suspect.
Evans has been charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and is scheduled for his first appearance in court Monday morning.