A bicyclist allegedly assaulted an Alexandria Police officer with the officer’s own TASER, then held a gun to that officer’s head after being stopped for a traffic violation. 51-year-old Vernon Holden has been arrested as a result. Corporal Wade Bourgeois says the violent confrontation began when the officer got out of their car to issue a citation…
“The officer went to try to stop the male who was later identified as Vernon Holden, in order to enforce the traffic regulation. Shortly after that a foot pursuit took place, and that ended with a physical confrontation.”
After chasing down Mr. Holden after the traffic stop, Bourgeois says the officer attempted to subdue the suspect with non-lethal force…
“The officer attempted to draw his TASER and use it. The suspect, Mr. Holden, was able to gain control of that TASER and use it against the officer.”
Bourgeois says after wrestling the TASER away from the officer and then turning the stun gun back on the cop, Holden escalated the situation by threatening to murder the officer he had subdued.
“During that struggle Holden was in possession of a firearm already, and drew that firearm, put it to the officer’s head and made threatening statements. Fortunately nothing beyond that happened.
After Holden retreated, backup arrived and a search ensued. He was later apprehended in a nearby storage shed. Police say they’ve retrieved the weapon used against the officer as well.
