Man charged with shooting at police

CLOVIS – A 49-year-old Clovis man accused of shooting at a Clovis police officer was charged Friday with four felonies in connection with the Dec. 31 incident.

Joey Gallegos is alleged to have fired at Officer Ramon Garcia as he attempted to flee police who were responding to reports of shots fired in the neighborhood.

Garcia returned fire but no injuries were reported in the chase near downtown Clovis.

A criminal complaint filed Friday states Garcia noticed Gallegos walking near the intersection of 11th and Connelly streets and that Gallegos "kept looking back" at the officer, who was in his marked police car. When Garcia attempted to make contact with Gallegos, the suspect began running, records show.

At one point Garcia said Gallegos pointed an object at him and Garcia "heard a loud pop." Garcia returned fire and then shot at the suspect again as he ran away.

"The male subject then ran into the street and put up his hands," records show.

Gallegos told police, "Why are you shooting at me it was a firecracker prick," the complaint states. Police found a .380 firearm under a tree near the location where Garcia believed the shot came from. Police also found ammunition for the gun and a spent .380 shell casing. The gun was reported stolen shortly before Gallegos was arrested.

Gallegos is charged with aggravated assault upon a peace officer, along with other felonies and a misdemeanor. District Attorney Quentin Ray said he faces at least 10 years in prison.

He was being held without bond Saturday in the Curry County Adult Detention Center.

The original report of shots fired that brought police to the area is still under investigation.