Oakland police shoot suspect after officers dragged, pinned during traffic stop

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Two Oakland police officers are on paid leave after an officer shot a suspect who allegedly dragged the officers with a vehicle and pinned one of them during a traffic stop early Friday morning, authorities said.

The shooting happened around 3:15 a.m. in the 1200 block of 9th Avenue, according to Interim Oakland Police Chief James Beere. Police did not say why officers initially pulled the driver over but said the officers saw a gun inside the vehicle that was reported stolen.

"If you come to this city and commit crimes, we will arrest you. Use of force is never something we want to take lightly or resort to. But our officers have the right to defend themselves," Beere said.

According to Beere, the suspect attempted to flee in the vehicle during the stop.

"Both officers were dragged. And eventually the vehicle crashed next to a car pinning one of the officers between the suspect's vehicle and parked vehicle," Beere said. "The officer who discharged his firearm struck the suspect one time."

Police did not release details about where the suspect was shot or the severity of the injury. The suspect, identified as a 21-year-old man from Sacramento, was taken to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition. The two officers were also treated at a hospital and later released.

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Beere said the investigation remains ongoing.

"Unfortunately there are still interviews that need to be conducted. And I can't get into the details of as to what occurred specifically. We still have to go back and recanvas. Contact other witnesses," Beere said.

Beere noted that the area where the traffic stop occurred is known for prostitution-related activity. He did not say why the suspect was in the area.

"I can't get into specifically why the subject was there. But what I can tell you is that that neighborhood has experience violence related to human trafficking ad prostitution activity. You have 21-year-old male that came from outside of our city. To that location. With a gun. The specific details after that I can't elaborate on," Beere said.

Federal agents are also involved in the case, Beere said. As required by protocol, the officers involved have been placed on paid leave. Separate investigations are being conducted by the Oakland Police Department and the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.