Dixon student arrested after exchange of gunfire with police

DIXON, Calif. -- Police arrested a 15-year-old Dixon High School student who exchanged gunfire with an officer Wednesday morning, according to police and the Dixon Unified School District.

A student alerted Dixon High School Principal Nick Girimonte at about 9 a.m. Wednesday that another student was armed with a handgun in nearby Hall Memorial Park, school district officials said on Facebook.

The school contacted police, who responded to the park. When one of the officers arrived, the student came up behind the patrol car and opened fire, striking the car multiple times, Dixon police Chief Jon Cox said.

"It was very fortunate the officer was not struck," Cox said.

The officer got out of the car and returned fire and the student tried to run. Other officers arriving at the park ordered him to the ground and he was safely arrested, police said.

The student had apparently been hit in his torso by the officer's gunfire and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

He was later released from the hospital and booked into a juvenile detention facility in Fairfield on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer, Cox said.

The school, located at 555 College Way, was placed on lockdown as police responded. The school is providing counseling support for students today, district officials said.

"It was a good example of how important it is for the school district and law enforcement to work together," Cox said. "Because of their diligence in immediately notifying us, we were able to take this person into custody without any further violence."