TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A motorist who was shot and wounded by an officer who was being dragged by the suspect’s car has been released from the hospital and taken to jail, police in Topeka said.
Dujontez Jaimandre Jerome Owens, 19, has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated battery of an officer while fleeing and other counts, police said in a news release. The shooting happened Sunday afternoon when, police say, a Topeka police officer was dragged by Owens’ car following a traffic stop.
A preliminary police investigation showed that Owens took off during the traffic stop, and the officer became entangled. The officer fired his service weapon, hitting Owens at least once. The officer then became free.
Police say Owens drove about two blocks before losing control and crashing into a house.
The officer, who has not been named, has been placed on paid leave, as is standard procedure, while the shooting is investigated.
