As released by the Harrisburg Police

Department. Charges: Recklessly Endangering Another Person Escape Driving While Under Suspension Disregard Red Signal Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Driving Without Lights to Avoid Identification Reckless Driving No Turn Signal Hindering Apprehension

Suspect: James Porter, B/M/34, 600 block of Forrester St. . Charges: Attempted Homicide Aggravated Assault Person Not to Possess Firearm Possession of Cocaine Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Carrrying Firearm Without License

Narrative: On 10-21-2012 at about 0230 hrs. a patrol officer noticed a car driving at a high rate of speed in the 600 block of Maclay St. The car went north and the officer lost sight of it after trying to catch up to it. At about 0430 hrs. the officer saw the same car near N. 6th and Maclay Sts. It took off at a high rate of speed again. The officer was able to get it stopped in the 2100 block of Jefferson St. The driver and passenger got out, defying the officer’s order to remain in the car. The passenger leaned over and picked up a revolver from the roadway next to the car. The officer ordered him to drop the gun. The passenger ran off with the handgun.

The officer radioed his situation to other officers and tried to catch the passenger. The man rounded a building and the officer heard a shot. He stopped his foot chase. At the same time, the driver got into the car and took off at a high rate of speed going east on Maclay St. Other responding officers were not able to locate the car or the gunman.

The officers checked the path taken by the fleeing gunman. A revolver was found. It was loaded and had one spent casing. A cell phone was found on the roadway where the man had first picked up the handgun.

At about 0545 hrs. an officer from the Susquehanna Twp. Police contacted the Harrisburg Police and reported that he had located the fleeing car and had the driver in custody. The man was identified as Carlos Smith. He was alone in the car which is owned by his girlfriend. He reportedly was located a short time after a high speed chase. He was returning the car to his girlfriend at her place of work, knowing that he was going to be in trouble.

Carlos Smith identified the man who fired the shot by the nickname Reem. He claimed that he didn’t know him, had just met him in a local bar and was giving him a ride.

Det. O’Connor investigated the incident and interviewed Carlos Smith who maintained his account. Other witness information revealed that James Porter was the man with the gun. Det. O’Connor confirmed the identity through witnesses and the victim officer.

Det. O’Connor, directed by cooperating witnesses, went to a bar in the Uptown section of the City and found Porter. He and Det. Kennedy took Porter into custody. Porter was in possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia.