Authorities on Thursday named a Carlsbad police officer who opened fire last week after suffering head injuries from an alleged assault by a suspect with a skateboard.
Michael McKinney, employed by the Carlsbad police since September 2022, shot at Kyle Andrew McCord, 32, of San Diego as the suspect fled following the alleged assault, officials said.
Other officers chased down McCord – McKinney’s shots missed him – and arrested him a short distance away.
Paramedics took McKinney to a hospital for treatment of head trauma, according to the San Diego Police Department, which investigates shootings on the part of Carlsbad police under terms of a countywide agreement designed to prevent conflicts of interest.
During the Friday incident, McKinney was driving on Carlsbad Village Drive at about 11:15 p.m. when a rock struck his marked patrol car, shattering the windshield and destroying a spotlight. The officer responded by calling for a supervisor and pulling into a nearby parking lot.
A short time later, McCord allegedly struck McKinney in the head from behind with a skateboard, then fled. Taking cover, the injured officer opened fire, discharging three rounds that flew wide of the mark.
McCord ran for about three blocks before officers caught up with him. He was booked on suspicion of assault and attempted murder of a peace officer.
“Detectives are currently investigating whether the rock that struck the patrol car in this incident was an accident or (an) intentional act carried out by the suspect or another person,” SDPD Lt. Steve Shebloski said Thursday.
McCord pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon to felony counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism. A criminal complaint alleges he was out on bail in a separate, unrelated case at the time of last week’s incident.
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department records indicate that McCord remains in custody at the George Bailey Detention Facility and is not eligible for bail.
– City News Service
