BRADENTON — Bradenton Police officers are seeking suspects who allegedly fled the scene Thursday of an undercover narcotics investigation in the parking lot at Walmart on Cortez Road in Bradenton.
Officers fired two gunshots at the suspects’ vehicle during the incident after it struck an officer and pinned him against another car.
A woman was taken into custody on the east side of the store in the rear parking lot. The store is located at 5315 Cortez Road W.
Deputy Chief Keith Davis addressed the media in a makeshift news conference at the Bradenton Police Department. He said one, maybe two, suspects fled southbound on foot.
Davis said the store was not evacuated or closed.
The undercover narcotics division was working in the west parking lot about 2:31 p.m. The subjects, who were inside a dark gray vehicle, put the car in reverse, striking an officer.
Davis said the officer suffered minor injuries, possibly to his hand, when he was pinned between the suspect vehicle and another parked vehicle.
An officer fired their weapon twice, striking the vehicle. The vehicle continued traveling through the parking lot. The subjects fled after parking behind the store.
“There is no indication any of the subjects are injured,” Davis said.
A helicopter was canvassing the area southwest of Walmart looking for fleeing subjects.
Detectives on the scene were looking over the vehicle. A hubcap and handbag were laying on the rear of the car.
The investigation is ongoing.
Elizabeth Johnson, Herald crime reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041.
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