Columbus Police officer shoots man twice after chase

Man in stable condition at The Medical Center

BY ALAN RIQUELMY - ariquelmy@ledger-enquirer.com --

A man who police said fled from officers Tuesday night was shot twice by a patrolman when he refused to obey his commands.

Timothy Pugh, 30, of 1410 Talbotton Road was shot in the arm and the shoulder by Columbus Police Officer Michael Doolittle just after 10 p.m. behind a Sheffield Drive apartment complex, Police Chief Ricky Boren said. The shooting came after Pugh jumped from his moving Ford Crown Victoria and ran from police following a brief car chase down Macon and Forrest roads.

Pugh was in stable condition at The Medical Center. Doolittle, who has been with the department for seven months, is on administrative leave with pay.

The chase began at Macon Road and Interstate 185, when officers tried to stop Pugh for a seat belt violation, Boren said. Pugh wouldn't stop, instead speeding up to elude police.

Officers followed Pugh down Macon and Forrest roads, turning onto Sheffield Drive.

"He was opening the driver side door, and he was attempting to get out," Boren said. "After a couple of attempts, he jumped from the vehicle."

The car continued along the road until it hit a pole, Boren said. Pugh ran into a nearby apartment complex, heading toward the rear.

Other officers had arrived and were searching for Pugh. Doolittle was at the rear of the complex and approaching Pugh, who was behind a tree, Boren said.

"The man stepped out from behind the tree with something in his hand," Boren said. "The officer gave him verbal commands to stop and drop whatever he had in his hand."

Pugh didn't, and Doolittle shot twice, hitting him in the arm and shoulder.

"It appeared that it was a cell phone in his hand."

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Columbus Police's Office of Professional Standards are investigating the shooting. Charges are pending, and Pugh will be arrested upon his release from the hospital, Boren said.