THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 5, 1995 TAG: 9512050326
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
A Norfolk police officer, who fatally shot an auto-theft suspect who beat him with a piece of lumber, has been released from a hospital but will take some time to recuperate, a police spokesman reported Monday.
Officer Larry Bobbitt suffered serious head injuries when the fleeing suspect struck him several times with a two-by-four Sunday night. Bobbitt shot the man with his 9mm sidearm to fend off the attack.
Bobbitt, a 19-year veteran assigned to the first patrol division, was recovering Monday and did not want to be interviewed, according to police spokesman Larry Hill.
``The officer has suffered a severe blow to the head and lacerations,'' Hill said. ``He had to have numerous stitches. He also has hand injuries from defense wounds and the officer is very sore, tired and injured.''
His attacker, who police said was fleeing in a van stolen in Virginia Beach, was identified as Cedrick E. Taylor of the 1700 block of Campostella Road in Chesapeake.
Police said Taylor was wanted for parole violations and grand larceny of an automobile in Norfolk. Hill said it would take some time to determine whether the man was intoxicated or on drugs when he attacked Bobbitt.
The incident began in the Villa Heights neighborhood just before 9:30 p.m. when Bobbitt spotted the stolen 1995 Plymouth Voyager.
The Navy blue van had been reported stolen from Virginia Beach Oct. 24, but it was unclear whether Bobbitt recognized the van as being stolen or if he was attempting to stop it for a traffic offense, Hill said.
When Bobbitt sounded his siren, Taylor sped away, Hill said.
Bobbitt had chased the Voyager north on Gazel Street for a short time when the van collided with a 1981 Toyota Corolla traveling west on 27th Street.
The van then ran up on a sidewalk and crashed into a small tree. The driver jumped from the vehicle. Bobbitt chased him on foot. They faced off behind a nearby house.
Bobbitt attempted to subdue the man with pepper spray but it had no effect, Hill said. Taylor then struck Bobbitt several times on the head with the two-by-four.
``The officer in self-defense shot the man,'' Hill said.
Taylor, 33, was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he died a short time later from a single gunshot wound.
The driver of the Corolla, Richard Barrera, 21, of Norfolk was treated and released at Sentara Norfolk General for neck and back injuries. Bobbitt was treated at the same hospital.
Bobbitt will be placed on administrative duty until the case is fully investigated, Hill said. by CNB