Tasmanian police officer shoots into windscreen of stolen car, alleged driver in hospital
Channel: Buzz Nova
Date: 2017-12-02

Tasmanian police officer shoots into windscreen of stolen car, alleged driver in hospital
A police officer has discharged their weapon during an incident involving a 17-year-old
"A teenager has allegedly driven a stolen car directly into a Tasmanian policeman who opened fire at the vehicle"
UPDATED: THE state’s police union is fed up after a constable was forced to fire on teenager who allegedly ran him down in a stolen car. WATCH THE VIDEO
Tas cop hit by stolen car as he opens fire 
UPDATED: THE state’s police union is reeling after a constable was forced to fire on teenager who allegedly ran him down in a stolen car.
Police were responding to a car driving erratically about 1am today when they traced it to a dead-end road in Blackmans Bay.
The 17-year-old driver allegedly turned the Ford Festiva around on Crystal Downs Drive and aimed at the officer who was out of his car.
“As the vehicle was driving directly at the police officer (he) believed he was under direct threat and discharged his firearm,” Commander Tony Cerritelli said.
“It is probably the most extreme level of activity that a police officer can take.”
It is yet to be revealed how many shots were fired but the car did not stop, hitting the officer and his vehicle. The youth allegedly fled and abandoned the car in Wattle Avenue Kingston where he was found nearby
The constable was taken to taken Calvary Hospital with minor leg injuries and was discharged yesterday.
The youth, who was driving alone, is under guard in the Royal Hobart Hospital being treated for a head injury. He had not been charged last night. It is not clear whether his injury was caused by shrapnel from the shooting or in the collision with police.
Mr Cerritelli backed the officer’s actions.

“Obviously there was a significant concern from the police and that’s why the action was taken, which based on the evidence that I have and the facts that I have, I fully support,” he said.
“This is a traumatic event for everyone involved. Whether it’s the offender or the police officers it’s not a good thing to happen.”
The incident comes after repeated police union warnings over police evasion incidents, often by young repeat offenders, which the State Government has labelled an “epidemic”.
Police Association of Tasmania president Pat Allen said it was a grave incident which could have ended much worse. “Motor vehicles are probably the most lethal weapon in the hands of the wrong person,” he said.
“I’ve just had enough of it, it’s happening everywhere all over the world now.
“I want to see the law come down hard in relation to it … there’s good penalties available. Start using the penalties that are there and we’ll stop yelling for mandatory sentencing.”
He said the constable was a “very competent officer” who was sore and upset but was doing well.
“He was put in a position where he had to do something police don’t like doing and that’s firing shots,” Mr Allen said.
“It’s a bad situation but the officer handled himself well and did a damn fine job.”
The incident will be investigated internally because a shot was fired while officers involved are receiving assistance. Mr Cerritelli said the shot or shots were fired at the driver’s side windshield and road spikes had been authorised but not used. The youth was known to police.
A resident on Crystal Downs Drive said it was concerning a firearm had to be used but police “must have felt threatened”.
“It was scary in such a built up area but they must have known what they were doing,” he said.
EARLIER: Senior police have backed the actions of a constable who fired on a teenager as he allegedly ran down the officer in a stolen car.
Commander Tony Cerritelli said on the available evidence the officer had acted appropriately.
“Obviously there was a significant concern from the police and that’s why the action was taken, which based on the evidence that I have and the facts that have, I fully support,” he said.
“This is a traumatic event for everyone involved. Whether it’s the offender or the police officers it’s not a good thing to happen.”
Mr Cerritelli said the police had located the stolen green Ford Festiva in a dead end at Blackmans Bay after reports of erratic driving.
When the constable got out of the police car’s passenger side the youth allegedly “turned the vehicle in the direction of the police officer and the motor vehicle and drove directly at him”.
The constable then fired at the driver with the bullet or bullets hitting the windshield.

SOURCE ARTICLE : http://www.news.com.au/national/tasmania/a-police-officer-has-discharged-their-weapon-during-an-incident-involving-a-17yearold/news-story/e7291475a9aadb299b7cd5905f8d67df