Westminster Police Kill Man After Chase

Police shot and killed a suspected drug dealer after he ran from officers and then appeared to reach for a gun in his waistband, authorities said Sunday.

Police subsequently determined that Michael Scott Coolidge, 35, of Huntington Beach was unarmed, Westminster police said.

“He crouched, turned and squatted,” Lt. Mike Schliskey said. “He was stooped down with his hand in his waistband. The officer obviously thought he had a gun or he wouldn’t have fired.”

Coolidge was shot once in the chest and once in the left arm, said Sgt. Tom Blackburn.

Police said the shooting took place in an area known for drug dealing after an officer saw Coolidge sell methamphetamines to a woman. The officer pulled over Coolidge’s Chevrolet Camaro about 1:40 p.m. Saturday. Coolidge stopped for a moment and sped off.

The officer, joined by two other police cruisers, chased him for about a block until Coolidge ran a red light and crashed into a car on Westminster Boulevard at Rancho Road. The Camaro skidded about 50 yards, witnesses said, and slammed into a light pole outside a liquor store.

Coolidge jumped out of the car and ran. Officers chased him for about a block.

Police said Coolidge ignored several commands to stop, then appeared to reach for a gun in his waistband before an officer fired twice.

The officer, an 11-year veteran who was not identified, is on paid administrative leave while the district attorney’s office investigates the incident, which is routine when an officer shoots someone.

Two neighbors who witnessed the shooting said police went out of their way to coax Coolidge into surrendering.

“I believe in my heart that they did their jobs,” Billie Jo Henkerd said. “They didn’t want to hurt that dude.”

Schliskey said Coolidge was a gang member who had a history of drug arrests.