EPPD: Passenger exited vehicle with gun during traffic stop, shot by police officer

A police officer shot the front seat passenger of a vehicle during a traffic stop in Northeast El Paso, police officials said.

The passenger, only described as a 25-year-old man, allegedly exited the vehicle with a gun, police said.

Police officers pulled the driver over on the 5400 block of Pollard at 11:57 pm Wednesday due to a traffic violation.

While an officer conducted the traffic interview with the driver of the vehicle, the front seat passenger allegedly exited the vehicle while drawing a handgun.

A second officer was able to draw his handgun and discharged it, striking the passenger in the torso and leg, police said.

The wounded passenger was transported to University Medical Center for treatment. The passenger’s revolver was recovered at the scene along with drugs, police said.

The police department’s Crimes Against Persons unit, Texas Rangers, and a Shooting Review Team are investigating the shooting.

The completed investigation will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s for review and presentation to a Grand Jury.

Police said the wounded passenger is facing charges of Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant. His identity will be released upon completion of the formal booking process.