JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An officer shot a 35-year-old man wanted on an arrest warrant four times when the fugitive began backing his vehicle toward police, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Late Monday night, Carl Ward, wanted on a charge of felony domestic battery, was found inside a vehicle at the Sanctuary Walk Apartments off East 21st Street. JSO Chief Tom Hackney said when Ward refused to roll down his windows for Officer Brian Kremler, a backup officer, Rudy Bueno, responded and repeated attempts were made to get Ward to respond.
Hackney said that as the officers returned to their patrol cars, Ward revved his engine and backed his Dodge Charger up toward police, crashing into one of the cruisers.
Hackney said Bueno fired four shots and hit Ward all four times in the chest.
"He was using the vehicle as a weapon," Hackney said. "The officer used deadly force to protect the other officer from that very large vehicle."
Ward was transported to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He was listed Tuesday in critical but stable condition.
Police said they later found a loaded and cocked .40 caliber handgun below Ward's car seat. They said they're not sure what plans Ward had for it.
Police said an anonymous tip led them to Ward.