Man charged with aiming car at Mpls. officers, prompting police to shoot at vehicle

A 26-year-old man has been charged with a felony for allegedly driving toward a Minneapolis police officer, prompting the officer to shoot at the speeding motorist's vehicle.

Travis S. Gudmundson, 26, of Minneapolis, was charged Monday in Hennepin County District Court with first-degree assault in connection with the altercation Friday night that grew out of a traffic stop in the East Phillips neighborhood.

Gudmundson remains jailed in lieu of $200,000 bail. A message was left with his attorney Tuesday seeking reaction to the allegations.

Also Tuesday, police identified those on the call as officers William Martin and Jonahs Novak.

Police have not disclosed which officer shot at the vehicle.

Gudmundson's criminal history in Minnesota includes low-level convictions for possessing a small amount of marijuana and being a public nuisance.

According to the criminal complaint:

The vehicle came to a stop facing the squad car. Two officers drew their guns and told the driver, "Police! Put the car in park!"

Gudmundson sped directly toward and just missed hitting one of the officers.

One officer shot four rounds at the vehicle, striking the car once and missing the driver.

Gudmundson kept going and was arrested a few blocks away.

The driver's ex-girlfriend told police that Gudmundson stole the car from her in late January and he had crack cocaine and was acting "out of his character" the last time she saw him.