As the two officers called in the license plate information of the vehicle, while sitting in their patrol car, the suspect exited his vehicle and opened fire with a .40 caliber handgun, striking Officer Fettig five times and Officer Bowens three times. The shooter then went out of view as Officer Bowens exited the patrol car, returned fire three times, and then went to help Officer Fettig as he called assistance.
The shooter reappeared and shot Officer Bowens six more times before stealing his service weapon. The shooter fired a total of 19 rounds at the officers during the incident.