Man accused of trying to kill off-duty officer
A mugger who snatched an off-duty Hayward police officer’s purse was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after trying to shoot her with her unloaded gun, police said.
Officer Michelle Winters was on her way to work but not in uniform Saturday morning when the man surprised her as she came out of a store. Richard Sessions, 38, of Hayward, a convicted robber just released from parole, allegedly shoved Winters into her car, grabbed her purse and ran, Lt. Gary Branson said.
Winters chased the 6-foot, 2-inch, 235-pound man, who pulled an unloaded gun from her purse, aimed at her and pulled the trigger several times, Branson said.
Sessions kicked and punched the officer and tried to shoot her again at close range before running off, police said.
Officers apprehended him about two blocks away and arrested him on suspicion of several felonies, including attempted murder.
Winters was treated and released at a nearby hospital for cuts to her head. Sessions was being held at Santa Rita jail.
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