Man is shot while fleeing West Valley police

A man who already had a warrant out for his arrest for trying to run over his mother and her friends was shot Sunday night after West Valley police said he tried to do the same thing to one of their officers.

The 28-year-old man, whose name police had not released Monday afternoon, was reported in serious but stable condition.

About 11:30 p.m. Sunday, an officer spotted a stolen car near 3600 West and 2700 South, said West Valley Police Capt. Tom McLachlan. As the officer attempted to stop the car, the driver pulled into a nearby dead-end road.

The officer got out of his car and ordered the driver to turn off the engine and get out with his hands up, McLachlan said. Instead, the driver started to drive toward the officer. In the narrow alley, the officer either was going to get pinned between the wall and the vehicle or struck outright, McLachlan said.

Fearing for his life, the officer fired multiple shots at the vehicle, striking the driver, he said.

There was also a female passenger in the car, but she was not injured. She was questioned and released.

The driver had a warrant out for his arrest for investigation of multiple counts of aggravated assault. McLachlan said officers believe the man stole his mother's car. She and some of her friends apparently tried to stop him as he was pulling away, but he attempted to run them over, McLachlan said. No one was hurt.