Man jailed following chase, gunshot

Share this: Email | Facebook | X

A Sacramento man was jailed today after he allegedly tried to run over a Carson City deputy and led police on a short foot pursuit that ended in gunfire. No one was injured.

Jack Watson, 37, was booked into Carson City Jail on suspicion of felony attempted murder on a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon, eluding a peace officer, gross misdemeanor possession of burglary tools, misdemeanor hit and run and reckless driving.

According to the arrest report, police were called out to the 400 block of East Lee Street at 3:30 a.m. this morning on a report of a suspicious man with a weapon.

As an officer approached Watson in his car, Watson allegedly gunned the engine, causing his tires to spin on the ice.

The report states the deputy shouted for Watson to turn off the vehicle, but instead, Watson's vehicle gained traction and he allegedly turned the wheels toward the deputy.

The vehicle came within six inches of the deputy, according to the report.

"The vehicle was so close to me I was unable to get my duty firearm raised without striking the side of the vehicle," Deputy Thomas McDonald wrote in the report.

The car then slid out of the parking lot and hit a parked vehicle. Watson allegedly fled on foot with the deputy in pursuit.

Another officer joined the chase, the report states, and as McDonald rounded the corner he saw the other officer on the ground, and Watson allegedly reaching into his waistband.

"I yelled 'Stay down' to the fallen officer. I then fired one round from my duty weapon at the suspect," the report states.

Watson fell to the ground and officers were able to cuff him. He was not hit.

No weapon was found on him. A screwdriver and flashlight were removed from his pockets.

He is being held without bail on a California Department of Corrections warrant.