Posted on 06/20/2002 7:16:00 AM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
GALVESTON -- A Houston man accused of beating a police officer unconscious in a convenience store was wounded by police gunfire after a short car chase early Wednesday, authorities said. Daniel Joseph Lawniczak, 49, of the 12000 block of Wessex, was in fair condition in a Galveston hospital after being struck by at least four police bullets, said Galveston police Capt. Kenneth Mack. Lawniczak was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and other charges were pending, Mack said.
The shooting occurred after an unprovoked attack on Port of Galveston police officer Richard Garcia shortly after midnight, witnesses told police. Garcia said Lawniczak had asked him if he had a light for a cigarette and he replied that he didn't smoke and turned to the store's cashier. "The officer was struck several times in the head and neck with a metal object and fell to the ground," Mack said in a prepared statement. "Before going unconscious, officer Garcia managed to radio for help and broadcast a description of his attacker." Lawniczak fled the store in the 600 block of Broadway, and police soon began chasing his pickup, Mack said. The truck crashed into a utility pole at 21st Street and Avenue L, he said. Officers drew their guns and ordered Lawniczak to surrender, Mack said, but he advanced on them while making "threatening moves with his hands consistent with drawing and firing a weapon."
The officers fired several times, wounding Lawniczak in the neck and lower extremities, Mack said. He would not say how many officers fired their guns. Police said Lawniczak has lived in Houston for about 12 years, working at petrochemical plants in the area, and has no police record. Relatives told police that Lawniczak had been laid off recently and was depressed, investigators said. The shooting remains under investigation, Mack said. According to department policy, the officers who fired their guns were placed on a minimum three-day, paid administrative leave and will be required to meet with counselors before they return to regular duty, Police Chief Bob Pierce said.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.