Ocean Beach

A man suspected of stealing a car was slightly injured early Sunday when a police officer opened fire on the car in Ocean Beach, police said.

San Diego homicide police were investigating the incident, as is routine when an officer fires a gun, authorities said.

The suspect, Donald E. Walker, 18, of San Diego, received only minor bruises after a bullet struck the sole of his shoe, according to police. Walker, who was driving the stolen car, was treated at UC San Diego Medical Center and released to police custody, police said.

Marcus A. Jenkins, 21, also of San Diego, was arrested at the scene of the shooting, and both he and Walker were being held at San Diego County Jail. Walker was charged with assaulting a police officer with a deadly weapon, burglary and car theft; Jenkins was charged with burglary and car theft.

Police provided the following account of the shooting, which occurred about 2 a.m. Sunday:

A car, reported stolen a few minutes earlier, was seen by a police vehicle in Ocean Beach. The police pursued the car until it came to a stop on Voltaire Street. The car, carrying the two suspects, was then approached by Officer Ernest Herbert.

Herbert fired three shots at the car after its engine was started again and it headed toward him, police said. The car passed the officer and came to a stop, allowing police to block it and arrest the suspects.