Man charged with attempted murder for hitting officer with car

UPDATE (Dec. 21):

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) provided more details into the officer struck by a car Wednesday on Wilder Street. They are treating the incident as attempted murder of an officer.

Hamilton County EMS took the police officer to the hospital. The officer had injuries that were not life-threatening and has since been released from the hospital.

Kendric Harris / Chattanooga Police Department

The CPD identified the suspect as 22-year-old Kendric Harris.

Authorities described the series of events that led up to the officer being struck.

An officer arrived at the scene of a disorder with a weapon call on Wilder Street and exited his patrol car. Police said the officer walked toward the house, and the suspect, Harris, got into a car.

That suspect then turned and drove toward the officer, while the officer kept telling him to stop.

Harris then hit the officer with his car, knocking him to the ground. Harris then fled the scene in his car, according to police.

Following the incident, CPD’s Fugitive Unit learned that Harris was near Belle Vista Avenue. They, along with the U.S. Marshal Service, the TBI, the ATF and East Ridge Police then went searching for Harris.

CPD said they found him in the back of a U-Haul truck at a home on Belle Vista Avenue.

Authorities then arrested Harris for both the original call of disorder with a weapon and for hitting the officer with a car.

Harris faces the following charges.

• Attempted murder of a police officer
• Aggravated assault
• Domestic assault
• Evading arrest
• Vandalism
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony
• Felon in possession of a firearm
• Possession of controlled substances

Police booked Harris into the Hamilton County Jail.

SEE EARLIER COVERAGE (Dec. 20):

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Police are searching for a suspect who hit an officer with their car.

Officers responded to a disorder involving a weapon call on Wednesday morning after 11:30 a.m. at 2101 Wilder Street.

Police Chief Celeste Murphy confirmed an officer was struck at this location. Authorities have not yet given the status of the officer’s injuries.

They add that the suspect is currently on the run. Authorities have not yet identified the suspect.

Officers are searching Chattanooga for the suspect.

Scene of a disorder and officer struck on Wilder Street

Prior to the officer being struck, Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy said the suspect was carrying what was possibly a weapon. She said the officer ordered the suspect to stop so they could speak to them.

“The person immediately jumped into their car. The officer tried to get the person to stop from driving his car away. The person made an overt move in the officer’s direction and struck my officer, and then hit a tree in the yard,” Chief Murphy said.

However, Chief Murphy said officers did not find a weapon at this location.

At last check, the suspect was still on the run.

There is no official word yet on how badly the officer is hurt.

This is a developing story, and we will provide more information as it is available.