ANCHORAGE, ALASKA-Anchorage Police fired on a suspect yesterday morning after he attempted to run over an officer with the vehicle he was driving.

The incident began around 11:45 p.m. when an Anchorage Police officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of 27th Avenue and Spenard Road. As the officer approached the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle assaulted the officer and fled the area westbound towards Minnesota Boulevard. Within minutes, the vehicle was found abandoned in the area of 27th Avenue and Minnesota; handler Officer Nathan Keays and K9 MP responded to the area and began a track for the suspect and his passenger.

Approximately 40 minutes later, another APD officer recognized the suspect in a different vehicle and a pursuit ensued with the suspect fleeing into South Anchorage. At about 12:50 a.m., officers attempted to stop the vehicle by using a pit maneuver. At this point, the suspect attempted to run over an officer who in turn fired shots at the vehicle. The second vehicle the suspect was driving was found abandoned in the Potter Valley area.

The officer who fired on the suspect has been placed on administrative leave as per APD Policy and Procedure. His name will not be released for three days.

The investigation continues into this incident and police are still searching for the suspect.