Ramona Man Accused of Attempted Murder of a Police Officer

A transient and his passenger from Ramona are in jail Sunday accused of the attempted murder of a police officer Saturday evening in Poway.

Gunshots were fired from a car that was being pulled over by a San Diego Police Officer near the intersection of Espola and Poway Roads at 7:50 p.m, said Sgt. Chad Boudreau. The officer suspected the driver of drunk driving.

Sheriff's detectives arrested the passenger, 28-year-old Michael Rains of Ramona, and the driver, 18-year-old Daniel Schwartzel who claimed to be a transient, on suspicion of attempted murder. Both were booked into San Diego Central Jail without bail.

Just after the emergency lights were activated the officer said he heard what he thought was a gunshot and seconds later heard three more shots and muzzle flashes that appeared to come from the passenger side of the car. The officer was not injured, according to police.

The car pulled over near the intersection of Poway and Welton Roads and deputies from the Poway Sheriff's Station assisted with a "high risk vehicle stop." Poway Road was closed temporarily while deputies searched for and found shell casings in the area where the shots were fired, Boudreau said.

Two men in the car were arrested and a handgun was found inside the car, according to authorities.

The Poway Sheriff's Station is conducting an ongoing investigation.