Man Who Tried to Kill University Police Officer in Northridge Sought by Police

June 15, 2005

 
Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking the arrest of a man who attempted to run over an on-duty California State University Northridge Police Officer with an SUV after a vehicle pursuit April 30th.
The pursuit began at approximately 1:15 in the morning when the officer saw the man driving recklessly through a university parking lot. The pursuit covered a 2-mile adjoining residential area, beginning at the intersection of Reseda Boulevard and Nordhoff Street, and ending in a cul-de-sac in the 18600 block of Gledhill Street.
Blocked by the cul-de-sac, the suspect driver, later identified as 34-year-old Paul Clavoid Johnson, twice backed his 1995 gold Tahoe into the officer’s marked police car, then rammed it head-on two more times. The officer, who was working alone, fired 4 rounds at Johnson’s vehicle as it was leaving. It is unknown whether Johnson was injured. The officer’s left knee was injured as a result of the collisions. The officer’s patrol car sustained damage to the front bumper and headlights, as well as to the driver’s side door and mirror.
Johnson is a 34-year-old black man with brown eyes and black hair worn in a ponytail. He is 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds, and has a birth date of March 5, 1971. He was driving a gold 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe 2-door, California license 4WLL671. His last known address was in Fresno.
The LAPD is seeking the assistance of the community in solving this crime. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sandefur, Force Investigation Division, at 213-473-4871, during normal business hours. On weekends and during off-hours, please contact the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).
A still photo of the suspect is available to media outlets, by request, from Media Relations Section at 213-485-3565.