A man who shot at a police officer during a suspected DUI traffic stop will spend nine years in prison, the district attorney's office says.
Michael Eugene Rains, 29, pleaded guilty last month to shooting at an unoccupied vehicle, as well as assaulting an inmate and possessing a weapon in jail. The latter charges stem from two different incidents while Rains was in jail for the shooting, the district attorney says.
On Nov. 16, 2013, a San Diego police officer tried to pull over a white SUV in Poway because he thought the driver, 18-year-old Daniel Schwartzel, was under the influence. Sitting with Schwartzel was Rains.
When the officer turned on his emergency lights, he says he heard four gunshots and saw the muzzle flash from a firearm.
Uninjured, the officer called for back-up and followed the vehicle on Poway Road, eventually pulling it over. Sheriff’s deputies helped take Rains and Schwartzel into custody.
Investigators found a handgun in the SUV and shell casings from it on the street.
Schwartzel has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting in the incident and will be sentenced on Jan. 27.
