Man Fired Handgun At K-9 Unit and Officer

Jason Michael Lopez Mugshot

Pinellas Park police responded to calls of a male grabbing and pushing a female.

Police say it happened at about 10:00 pm Thursday night in the 9100 block of 54th Way North. They made contact with the victim and suspect, identified as Jason Michael Lopez, 30, in the 5500 block of 92nd Place North. As officers approached, the suspect fled into the back yard of a private residence.

The woman told officers that he battered her and that she was pregnant with his child.

Other officers and K-9 units responded to the area to aid in detaining Lopez.

Two K-9 units participated in the search. During the K9 track, one K9 team visually observed the subject in the back yard of 5801 91st Ave N. The subject refused orders to surrender and the police dog was sent to apprehend him.

As the dog engaged the subject, Lopez fired a handgun. The dog and handler were not hit. The suspect threw the firearm into another yard where it was later recovered.

Lopez suffered serious injuries as a result of resisting arrest and the efforts of the police dog in subduing him. The injuries included several dog bites.

The suspect was just released from the hospital where he was treated for his injuries. He is charged with multiple offenses, including:

* Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Female
* Carrying a Concealed Firearm
* Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
* Resisting arrest with Violence
* Attempted Offense Against Police Dog, Great Bodily Harm or Death
* Armed Burglary

Lopez has an extensive criminal record including time served in a Florida prison. Attached is a photo from 2012 he was jailed for carrying a concealed weapon.