A 29-year-old Laurel man was arrested late last night and charged with attempting to kill a city police officer who was forced to run for her life by climbing the stairs of a Wilkens Avenue church while the man allegedly attempted to run her down with his car.
Officer Iman Mamoud, of the Southwestern District, fired four shots at the driver in self-defense as she sought safety on the steps of St. Benedict's Catholic church in the 2600 block of Wilkens Ave.
None of the bullets hit the man, but he was injured moments later when his car crashed into a pole.
Officer Gene Constantine said Officer Mamoud was directing traffic near an earlier accident between a city fire department vehicle and a city police car near the 2600 block of Wilkens Ave. around 11:30 p.m. when she was told that a man was driving his car recklessly and had struck several parked vehicles in the 2400 and 2500 blocks of Wilkens Ave.
While walking toward the suspected car as it neared her, Officer Mamoud was forced onto the steps of the church when the motorist reportedly attempted to run her down.
After she shot at the motorist, the man put the car in reverse and crashed into a pole.
The motorist, Mark Daniel Johnson, of the 100 block of Virginia Manor Road, was slightly injured and taken to St. Agnes Hospital for treatment.
Officer Constantine said Mr. Johnson was charged with attempting to kill Officer Mamoud, assaulting the officer, multiple traffic charges and resisting arrest.