EL CAJON MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER IN OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING

December 11, 2009 (El Cajon) – Kareem Colum, 32, of El Cajon has been arrested for attempted murder following an altercation in which he reportedly tried to take Sheriff deputy's gun.

According to preliminary information posted at the Sheriff’s website, a deputy patrolling Persimmon Avenue in the unincorporated area of El Cajon last night saw a suspicious vehicle following him at about 6:37 p.m.. The deputy slowed and pulled his vehicle to the right curb to let the vehicle pass. The vehicle stopped next to the patrol car, exited through a window and rushed toward the deputy, who was exiting his patrol car. An altercation reportedly ensued and the suspect attempted to take the deputy’s handgun.

The deputy fired one round, striking the suspect in the upper torso. Law enforcement officers from the Sheriff’s Department, El Cajon Police Department, and Califiornia highway Patrol responded to the incident, along with firefighters and paramedics. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.