TUSTIN : Shooting Suspect Surrenders to Police

A Fullerton man suspected of shooting at a Tustin patrol officer after a routine traffic stop surrendered to police Monday morning, authorities said.

David Getchell, 42, was being held at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of attempting murder of police officer, said Tustin Police Lt. Chuck Crane.

Crane said the incident began about 7:50 p.m. Sunday when the officer, whose name was not released, stopped a driver for a traffic violation near 1st and B streets in Tustin. Shortly after the man got out of his car, he began a scuffle with the officer, Crane said. The man then pulled out a handgun, shot at the officer and ran north on B Street toward Irvine Boulevard, Crane said. The officer fired at the man as he fled but lost sight of him.

Police launched a search Sunday night using bloodhounds and helicopters from the Santa Ana Police and Orange County Sheriff’s departments, but they were unsuccessful, Crane said.

Fullerton and Tustin police surrounded Getchell’s apartment Monday morning, Crane said, and Getchell then telephoned Tustin Investigator Nasario Solis and agreed to surrender.

Crane said Getchell told investigators that he was a Vietnam veteran who had recently been experiencing domestic problems.