The search continues for two suspects in a Lexus sedan who investigators said fired several shots at a Lytle police sergeant on Monday during a short pursuit.
"It's a very strange and uncomfortable situation to have a phone call that one of our officers had been shot at," said Lytle police Chief Ritchey Priest.
He said it was a first during his 15-year career in Lytle.
Priest said Sgt. Mark Montgomery, a 13-year reserve veteran with Lytle PD, was not injured.
The chief said the Lexus took off after being pulled over for a speeding violation. He said its front license plate also was missing and the one in back looked "altered."
Priest said the license plate that fell off actually belonged on another vehicle.
He said with Montgomery in pursuit, the suspects turned down a dead-end street, forcing them to make an abrupt U-turn.
"Sgt. Montgomery pulled off to the side, thinking they were going to ram him," Priest said.
He said it's believed the suspects had fired up to five shots from a small-caliber handgun, two of them striking Montgomery's new patrol vehicle as they drove past.
Priest said one of the bullets only dented the driver's side door.
"We're fortunate it was not a large-caliber weapon that would have penetrated the door," Priest said.
The chief said a search so far of the vehicle and the scene had not turned up any additional evidence.
He said Monday's late afternoon pursuit was called off soon after the shots were fired because of nearby homes and a city park down the street.
"We didn't want him shooting up the whole town as we pursued him," Priest said.
As a result, the chief said they remain on the lookout for two suspects in a 1990s model white Lexus with beige trim around the bottom.
He urged the public to call the Atascosa County Sheriff's 24-hour dispatch line, 830-769-3434, with any information about the shooting.
(Below photo courtesy Lytle Police Department.)
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