Officer suspended for firing on fleeing suspect who had just rammed his car

January 28, 2015 at 6:53 p.m. | Updated January 29, 2015 at 4:14 p.m.

by Kendi A. Rainwater

A routine traffic stop ended in a hail of gunfire and twisted metal after a suspect attempted to flee. A Chattanooga Police Officer fired on the suspect, later resulting in a suspension because he fired on a fleeing vehicle in a densely populated neighborhood.
A routine traffic stop ended in a hail of gunfire and twisted metal after a suspect attempted to flee. A Chattanooga Police Officer fired on the suspect, later resulting in a suspension because he fired on a fleeing vehicle in a densely populated neighborhood.
photo Alex Olson

Chattanooga Police Officer Alex Olson will be suspended for 30 days without pay for firing his weapon at a moving vehicle in October of last year.

On Wednesday, Police Chief Fred Fletcher sustained a finding of "Improper Use of Force -- Discharge of a Firearm," giving Olson the maximum suspension allowed by Chattanooga City Law.

In a letter hand delivered to Olson, Fletcher informed him that he violated policy because he fired the shots after the collision, as the vehicle was leaving the scene.

The shooting occurred on October 5, after Olson witnessed a car blow through a stop sign.

Olson attempted to pull over the driver, Luster Deloney, 20, but Deloney fled to a dead-end cul-de-sac in a neighborhood.

Olson's in-car camera recorded the entire incident. The video shows Deloney shift his car into reverse and ram it into Olson's patrol car, before Olson fires four shots at the car as it drive away -- tires squealing.

Since the incident, Olson has been on paid administrative leave, according to department policy.

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.

Upcoming Events