By Erin Tracy
The Modesto Bee
MODESTO, Calif. — Modesto Police released video from a June 3 incident in which an officer exchanged gunfire with a fleeing suspect.
Video from Officer Raihil Sharma’s body camera and the dash camera of his patrol car, as well as from the department’s new airplane, captured how the incident unfolded.
Sharma, a nearly two-year veteran, pulled over Gordon Massey on his bicycle just after 10 p.m. in the area of Phoenix and Glendale avenues. The video does not say why Massey was pulled over and a department spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment Saturday morning.
Chief Brandon Gillespie, who provides narration during the 16-minute edited video, said Massey was initially cooperative with Sharma.
But as Sharma ran his name on the patrol car computer and learned he had warrants for DUI and drug offenses, Massey rode away and Sharma drove after him.
Sharma followed Massey for about a minute, through a nearby shopping center, then into an adjacent neighborhood, where Massey allegedly fired three shots at Sharma.
Sharma notified dispatch, “I’m taking shots,” then gave a description of Massey, who allegedly fired two more rounds at him.
One shot hit the front passenger headrest in Sharma’s patrol car, Gillespie said.
Sharma followed Massey for about a minute and 50 seconds as he rode through the neighborhood. He then stopped the vehicle, held his gun out of the window and fired three shots at Massey.
Massey rode around the corner and into an alley. When Sharma caught up with him, Massey was on the ground lying next to his bicycle.
Sharma held Massey at gunpoint and ordered him to keep his hands visible and stay still as more officers arrived at the scene.
Officers can be heard questioning Massey about where his gun is and discussing among themselves whether anyone has a shield to use to approach Massey. The video cuts to airplane footage then back to officer body camera as they approach Massey.
Officers handcuffed, then provided medical aid to Massey, who was bleeding from his right arm. They cut off his clothes to check other parts of his body for gunshot wounds and applied a tourniquet to his arm.
After being treated at a hospital, Massey was booked into jail.
Officers found a stolen .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun in the entrance to the alleyway.
Massey was charged with attempted murder of a police officer, assault on a peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm; shooting at an occupied vehicle; negligent discharge of a firearm; being a felon in possession of a Smith and Wesson semiautomatic firearm; being a felon in possession of 9 mm ammunition; and possession of methamphetamine while in the immediate possession of a firearm. He also faces enhancement on several of the charges for using a firearm.
Massey is being held without bail and is next scheduled to appear in court on July 10.
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