Officer fires shots at vehicle after driver attempts to drive into crowd

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- At approximately 3:45 a.m. Aug. 24, the Benton Harbor Police Department had a patrol officer come across a disturbance surrounding a Chevy Malibu in the 400 black of Vineyard.

Upon the officer exiting their vehicle, the Malibu drove slightly east before performing a U-turn, turning back towards a crowd of people.

The Malibu began to drive towards the crowd, where two people were side swiped by the vehicle, followed by the car briefly stopping, before reaccelerating.

When the Malibu reaccelerated, the officer was in a position between the speeding car and his patrol vehicle.

The officer then fired into the vehicle, striking the driver of the Malibu in her right hand, followed by the suspect being removed from the car and rendered aid.

The driver of the Malibu has been identified as 18-year-old Elajah Walker of Benton Harbor, with the origin of the disturbance allegedly stemming from a lover's quarrel.

Walker was transported to Corewell Lakeland for treatment and was subsequently sent to Berrien County Jail on felony charges.

The officer involved in this incident has been placed on admin leave pending an administrative investigation.

We will update as we learn more.