ORLANDO, Fla. – Authorities on Monday identified an officer and the suspect involved in a police-involved shooting on Universal Boulevard last week.
Officials from the Orlando Police Department said that Officer Alex Chase fired his weapon at Joselito Martinez Gonzalez on Wednesday as Gonzalez was driving toward him in a stolen vehicle at a local shopping plaza.
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Gonzalez, 30, remains hospitalized at Orlando Regional Medical Center in stable condition as he receives treatment for gunshot wounds. He is in the custody of Orange County Corrections on charges of stealing a vehicle, fleeing and attempting to elude officers. Authorities said additional charges are pending.
Police said Wednesday that Gonzalez posed as someone who was interested in buying a silver Mitsubishi then stole that vehicle from its owner while at a gas station on Semoran Boulevard. While surrounded by officers at a shopping plaza on Universal Boulevard, Gonzalez drove straight toward them, which is when Chase opened fire, according to authorities.
Gonzalez drove off after being shot until he eventually crashed near State Road 417 in the Lake Nona area and surrendered, police said.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting, which is standard procedure. Chase, who has been with the department since 2007 and is a member of the patrol tactical unit, has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is also standard procedure.