Chris Coward of Alexandria has been released from Inova Fairfax Hospital and is now in jail after he attempted to run over two Alexandria police officers in Old Town last Thursday night.
According to city police, the incident began around 7 p.m. when Alexandria police stopped a vehicle matching one that was listed as being involved in a armed carjacking in Prince Georges County. The black 1997 Mercedes was finally stopped at the intersection of South Washington and Wolfe streets.
As two officers approached the Mercedes, Coward accelerated, according to police accounts, attempting to hit the officers. The officers jumped out of the way and one of the officers fired at Coward. Coward then allegedly rammed a police van that had attempted to block his way and continued north on Washington Street with officers in pursuit.
COWARD TURNED left onto the westbound lanes of King Street, striking a vehicle and injuring one occupant of that vehicle. Coward then turned right onto North Alfred Street where he struck another vehicle. No one was injured in that collision.
Coward then jumped from the Mercedes and ran into an alley in the 100-block of North Alfred Street. An off-duty Alexandria police officer who happened to be in the area, pursued Coward into the alley and found him hiding in a dumpster. He was taken into custody and transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound to his left shoulder.
He has been charged with attempted felonious assault. Further charges may be added.