Police: Man opens fire at officer in Germantown, gets arrested while seeking treatment for gunshot wound

A 20-year-old man who allegedly opened fire at a police officer in Germantown on Saturday night was arrested when he went to the hospital seeking treatment for a bullet that struck him during the exchange.

Police Lt. Ray Evers said the incident started around 7 p.m. when two uniformed officers in a marked police cruiser saw a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix speeding in the 5500 block of Heiskell St.

When the officers stopped the vehicle on the nearby 5500 block of Baynton St., passenger Richard Alexander took off running, Evers said.

A foot chase ensued during which Alexander allegedly fired three shots from a .45-caliber automatic weapon.

Those shots missed, but one fired by the officer did not. About an hour later, Alexander reportedly showed up at Albert Einstein Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the upper right shoulder. The officer identified him at the hospital, Evers said.

Alexander was charged with aggravated assault and, among other offenses, having a stolen gun. Evers said the weapon fired at the officer was reported stolen last year.

Per department protocol, the officer is on desk duty pending the outcome of an internal investigation and District Attorney’s Office review.