A Canton man is in police custody after allegedly shooting at an East Canton police officer during a traffic pursuit early Sunday morning.
The suspect, Edward Irwin III, is charged with attempted felonious assault on a police officer, fleeing and eluding and felony possession of drugs, according to East Canton police. He also has a slew of outstanding felony warrants.
Authorities said it started around 12:05 a.m. near Wood and Nassau streets. Officer Andrea Mixon was working a traffic stop when she heard shots fired nearby and spotted a man with a gun driving a motorcycle north on Browning Court.
"I heard the gunshots. They sounded pretty, pretty close to our location. At that point, I didn't know if it was at us, or if it was just somewhere in the area," Mixon said.
The officer chased after Irwin, driving north on State Route 44. As the pursuit went past the city limits, Irwin allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at the officer twice and then into the air once, authorities said. Both shots fired in the officer's direction missed.
A short time later, Irwin slowed down to turn onto a gravel road but lost control of the motorcycle. He jumped back on the bike and took off again, this time heading south on State Route 44, authorities said.
Mixon was joined by police from Louisville and a Stark County Sheriff's Deputy as the pursuit continued. Authorities said Irwin eventually crashed his motorcycle on South Wood Street and ran off. A K-9 officer from Hartville joined the pursuit and helped the others search for him. Irwin was located a short time later and arrested.
East Canton Police Chief Thomas Hinerman said the danger to police and to the public was significant, and he's relieved no one was injured.
"We don't know what his intentions were, what was going on in his head, what he was trying to accomplish," Hinerman said.
Irwin is currently being held in the Stark County Jail. Additional charges may be forthcoming, authorities said.
