El Cajon

An El Cajon man was booked into County Jail on suspicion of the attempted murder of a police officer Friday after he allegedly tried to shoot the officer in a struggle during a traffic stop, police said.

Michael Scott Conrad, 21, was being held in connection with the incident, which took place after Conrad allegedly ran a red light about 8 a.m. He was stopped on East Lexington Avenue in El Cajon.

Police said Conrad became hostile after Officer Bud Owens questioned him about allegedly giving a false name during a police records check.

Conrad knocked Owens’ gun out of his holster and fell on it while Owens wrestled with him to get it back, police said.

As the two struggled, Conrad pointed the gun over his shoulder at Owens, but it was pushed in another direction by another officer before it discharged.

Conrad was subdued by police without further incident and taken into custody. He was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a small amount of illegal drugs and giving false information to an officer, police said.

A passenger with Conrad was questioned but was not detained, police said.