A Carlsbad police officer came under attack late Friday night while on duty in the Carlsbad Village area, officials said.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. in 1000 block of Carlsbad Village Drive. The officer's patrol car was hit by a rock while driving west underneath the Interstate 5 freeway, according to the Carlsbad Police Department
he rock shattered the spotlight and damaged the front windshield of the vehicle. Following protocol, the officer pulled into a nearby parking lot to check the damage, officials said.
As the officer and a supervisor inspected the patrol car, a suspect approached from behind and assaulted the officer with a skateboard, striking him in the head without warning, police said in a press release Saturday afternoon.
The officer then discharged his service weapon three times as he sought cover at a nearby business, while a sergeant chase the suspect on foot along Carlsbad Village Drive.
After a brief pursuit spanning three blocks, the suspect, identified as 32 year-old Kyle McCord, was arrested without further incident.
The investigation closed several blocks stretching from the I-5 at the Carlsbad Village Drive exit to Madison, but the main scene was near a Smart & Final store.
No bystanders were injured during the incident. The officer sustained serious head injuries and was transported to a local hospital, police said.
McCord faces charges of attempted murder of a police officer and committing a felony while on bond or release. He is currently held at Vista Jail.
The officer, a veteran with eight years of experience, will go through administrative review by the Carlsbad Police Department and criminal scrutiny by the San Diego County District Attorney's Office.
The San Diego Police Department's Homicide Unit is now handling the investigation.
(Photo reporting partner10News)