Pelham Manor cop kills ATV rider in Bronx

Kerry Wills and Joe Kemp

A man was shot and killed during a "violent struggle" with a Pelham Manor cop on Tuesday night after the officer chased him into the Bronx for refusing to pull over his off-road vehicle, cops and witnesses said.

Wardell Johnson, 43, was riding down Boston Road on a four-wheeler he had just bought in Connecticut for his son - who relatives said was following Johnson in a car at the time - when the officer tried to pull him over in Westchester County about 6 p.m., police and family said.

The pursuit continued into the Bronx, where the yellow ATV ran out of gas near Baychester Ave., cops and witnesses said. That's when the Harlem mechanic hopped off the unregistered ATV and ran away, cops and witnesses said.

"I came out [and] I heard sirens," said witness Jermaine Grey, 34. "The guy jumped off the bike. The cop started chasing him."

The two ran into the backyard of a Edson Ave. home, where a "violent struggle" took place, police sources said.

Johnson was shot at least once and pronounced dead at the scene, cops and witnesses said.

Sources said an expandable baton, a can of Mace and a magazine cartridge from a gun were found scattered at the scene. The officer's radio was on the roof of an adjacent building. The officer was taken to Jacobi Hospital.

Johnson's father, Wardell Johnson Sr., said he didn't believe his son was a threat to the officer. "He never owned a gun," the 66-year-old said. "I can't see no reason shooting him."

Johnson has prior arrests that include DWI, possession of marijuana and driving without a license.

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Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/10/13/2010-10-13_pelham_manor_cop_kills_atv_rider_in_bronx.html

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