A man is recovering in the hospital after being shot by a Visalia police officer. It happened around 1am Friday at Judy and Linwood in Visalia. Police say an officer fired because the suspect, 36-year-old Stephen Carlson, wasn't cooperating.
Crime scene tape still lined the front yard late Friday morning where the suspect was shot. Police went to the home because a neighbor reported hearing several gun shots. One bullet hit the neighbors car. Several hours earlier, Carlson accused the neighbor of stealing nearly $1,000.
A neighbor, who did not want her identity revealed, says she's shaken up after witnessing the violence. It kept most of the neighborhood up late.
"I know my kids don't feel safe. I tell them that we're in our own home, that we are safe, but I do feel a little insecure," said the neighbor, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Visalia police say officers went out for the theft call around 9pm Thursday. When they came back for the call of shots fired, Carlson apparently did not fully cooperate with police. They released K-9 on him, and that's when the suspect ran.
"Carlson retreated back to the proximity of his firearm and that's when an officer did discharge his firearm, striking suspect Carlson," said Sgt. Amy Watkins, spokesperson for the Visalia Police Department.
Carlson's roommate tells CBS47 the suspect was bit by the dog and shot through the back. He also admits Carlson had been drinking. Police will only say that those details are still under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff's Department.
Carlson could be charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon. As of Friday night, he's still in the hospital. He is expected to recover.
