Behind the Badge
Update: Fullerton Police officers located a gun Monday evening believed to have been used in Monday’s assault with a firearm against two Fullerton Police officers, according to an FPD news release Tuesday afternoon, The gun was found wedged on top of the trailer hitch of a vehicle that had been parked in the area of the shooting (near Euclid Street and Williamson Avenue).
Photo courtesy of Fullerton PD
Original story:
Four people are in custody, including a man who shot at Fullerton police officers, following an early-morning traffic stop Monday that erupted in gunfire and led to the capture, 2½ hours later, of the suspected gunman who had fled on foot.
No one was injured in the June 22 shooting, the Fullerton PD said in a news release.
The drama unfolded at 2 a.m. Monday when a veteran police officer and his trainee attempted to stop a light-colored Chevy SUV for traffic violations in the area of Euclid Avenue and Williamson Avenue.
According to a narrative provided by the Fullerton PD in a news release, the female driver failed to yield to the officers and a vehicle pursuit ensued.
Matthew Fernandez. FPD booking photo
The female drove to the area of Euclid Avenue west of Williamson where a male passenger exited the vehicle with a handgun, according to the news release.
Officers gave chase to the male on foot, and as he fled from the vehicle he began firing rounds at the officers, according to the news release said. The veteran officer returned fire and continued to pursue the male.
A third officer arrived on scene to assist and the suspect began firing rounds at him as well, according to the news release. The officer also returned fire toward the suspect.
The suspect was described as a male in his 20s wearing a black jersey-style shirt with white lettering. The suspect fled the area on foot and a perimeter was established.
The three occupants of the vehicle were detained at the Fullerton PD. At about 4:30 a.m., an Anaheim PD officer on the perimeter observed a male matching the description of the shooter.
The male was detained and subsequently arrested for felony assault on a police officer. He has been identified as Shane Stephenson, 25, of Pomona.
Shealyn Edgmon. FPD booking photo
Stephenson has been charged with attempted murder of a police officer and felony assault on a police officer with a firearm. He has an extensive criminal history and is on post-release community supervision, the Fullerton PD said.
The other occupants of the vehicle, Matthew Fernandez, 29,of Buena Park, Brett Chavez, 27, of Santa Ana, and Shealyn Edgmon, 22, of Orange, were arrested on suspicion of evading police, possession of narcotic paraphernalia and outstanding arrest warrants.
Edgmon is on probation for prior criminal convictions, according to the news release.
All four are in custody at the Fullerton Police Department.
The FPD is encouraging anyone with information about this shooting to call (714) 738-6800. Those wishing to provide information anonymously can call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1(855) TIP-OCCS or go to www.occrimestoppers.org.
Brett Chavez. FPD booking photo.
