Clearwater Man Charged With Attempting To Murder Police Officer

CLEARWATER, FL — A Clearwater man arrested Sunday after being accused of barricading himself in his home and shooting at police is now facing a charge of first-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, Clearwater police announced.

Police said James Albert Wassman, 60, barricaded himself in his house at 1117 Ridge Ave. just after 7 p.m. New Year's Day and began firing a gun. After receiving a report of gunshots fired in the area, a Clearwater police officer arrived at the home and was grazed in the arm by a bullet when Wassman fired his gun at the officer, according to police.

See related: Armed Man Barricaded In Clearwater Home Surrenders To SWAT Team

Police called in a negotiator and the SWAT team. When the negotiator couldn't convince Wassman to come out, police said the SWAT team fired gas canisters into the home, forcing Wassman to surrender.

Wassman was originally charged with aggravated assault on law enforcement and discharging a firearm on residential property. However, during their investigation, Clearwater police detectives learned that Wassman fired 25 shots from a Glock Model 22 40-caliber weapon, including shooting directly at the Clearwater officer.