SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio — The South Euclid Police Department is looking for a 36-year-old Cleveland Heights man they say struck a police car with his vehicle, prompting police gunfire. Police say Carl Keith Hampton Jr. has active felonies and warrants for obstructing official business, and receiving stolen property. He has a history of criminal violence and is considered armed and dangerous, according to police.
Around 3 a.m. on Sunday, officers responded to the intersection of Monticello Boulevard and South Green Road to a report of a vehicle stopped, according to a press release from South Euclid Police Department. After officers arrived on scene, the driver appeared to be passed out behind the steering wheel with a firearm in his lap, say police. Officers approached him—and he allegedly tried to drive off and crashed into a police car.
South Euclid Police say he refused to stop or listen to their commands. That’s when police say he threw his car in reverse, and the officer fired two shots toward him as he sped off.
At this point—it’s still not clear if he was hit by the gunfire or sustained any injuries.
A brief chase followed, but South Euclid Police say they lost him shortly after.
Cleveland Heights Police confirm they later located the white car, but the driver took off running.
South Euclid police consider Hampton Jr. armed and dangerous.
Residents say the incident has rattled their tight-knit community.
