Shots Fired at Police Car in Great Falls; Chief Says: 'I Beg for Your Help' to Find Shooter

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA (UPDATE 2:50 p.m.) -- Police have released new details in the shooting at a police car that took place Sunday night in the Great Falls area.

Police say the marked police cruiser was struck several times by gunfire and that the officer was not injured. The incident began just before midnight Sunday night when the officer attempted a traffic stop on Georgetown Pike near Rossmore Court (see map below) in the Great Falls area after the driver of a white sedan allegedly ran a red light.

The suspect’s car stopped a short distance away in the 600 block of Rossmore Court (see map below), according to police.

A passenger jumped out of the car and ran, police said. The driver of the car then sped away from the cruiser, making a U-turn in the cul-de-sac, then traveled back toward the officer and opened fire, striking the cruiser at least twice, according to police. The officer attempted to pursue the shooter’s car, but lost sight of it while driving westbound on Georgetown Pike.

FCPD's Major Crimes Division and Crime Scene detectives responded to the area to investigate and process the scene. Several other law enforcement partners tried to help track the suspect’s car, to no avail. The car was described as an older model four-door sedan, possibly late '90s to early 2000s, white with black rubber lining the door frames.

The police car was struck on the hood and on the rear quarter-panel. Because of the driver's head start, the officer wasn't able to catch up to the vehicle and lost sight of it, Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. said during a press conference Monday afternoon.

"I am pleading for help from the community," he said. "This is one particular time we in the police department need help of our great community to bring these armed and dangerous suspects to justice. ... These suspects attempted to murder a police officer and I beg for your help."

Roessler stated in a department-wide message Monday: “I am grateful that our officer went home safe last night…Their actions are not only dangerous and deadly to law enforcement but they are a threat to the entire community.”

Police are asking anyone with information to contact them by calling 703-691-2131 or Detective C. Guyton at 703-856-8547. You can also be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if you contact Crime Solvers by visiting http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637). Tipsters remain anonymous.

Approximate location where suspect's vehicle was last seen Sunday night around midnight (Google maps):

Additional reporting by Dan Taylor

PHOTO: Photos of bullet holes in police cruiser courtesy of FCPD.