‘Heroic’ woman rushes to help as officer caught in gun struggle
Date: Jul 27, 2005 8:18 AM
PUBLICATION: National Post
DATE: 2005.07.27
EDITION: Toronto
SECTION: Toronto
PAGE: A8 / Front
BYLINE: Nicholas Kohler
SOURCE: National Post
ILLUSTRATION: Black & White Photo: Brad White, For National Post / A
PeelRegional Police investigator examines the scene of a shooting
yesterday at the Square One shopping centre in Mississauga.
NOTE: [email protected]

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‘Heroic’ woman rushes to help as officer caught in gun struggle

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One of Monday’s first rounds of gunfire was issued by a police officer’s
Glock pistol, though the bicycle patrol cop did not willingly pull the
trigger.

The incident began at around 10 p.m. when the officer saw what he
suspected was a crack cocaine deal take place off Grange Court, just
south of Chinatown in the Dundas Street and Spadina Avenue area.

When the officer approached to arrest the man, he was forced to endure a
barrage of kicks and punches, Acting Staff Sergeant Mark Welch said
yesterday.

“He actually puts the officer in a headlock and tries to remove the
officer’s gun,” the officer said. “He actually was able to remove the
gun from his holster.”

The scene was an officer off his bicycle in a bear-hug struggle for his
gun. “Both the officer and the accused had their hands on the gun and
were essentially fighting over it,” said Acting Staff Sgt. Welch. “The
officer had no intention of firing the firearm,” he added.

The fight squeezed out a single round from the handgun before the
officer regained control of the weapon. Just then, the assailant
allegedly bit the officer, drawing blood.

A passing woman who saw the officer in distress then stepped in to help,
holding the alleged culprit down so he could be handcuffed, Acting Staff
Sgt. Welch said, adding police intend to recommend the woman for a
Police Services Board citation.

“She quite honestly was heroic,” he said.

The officer also sustained a cut to his elbow during the scuffle.

Chay Luu, a 28-year-old Vietnamese citizen who was known to police and
was already facing deportation, has been charged with numerous offences,
including assault with intent to resist arrest, assault causing bodily
harm and attempt to disarm a police officer.