Suspect arrested after gunfire exchange with Hayward police

HAYWARD — A man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after he exchanged gunfire with three Hayward police officers, authorities said.

No one was hit by the gunfire, although the suspect did sustain a minor injury to his thumb, authorities said.

The suspect was identified as Jaimie Mejia Lopez, 40, an unhoused resident of Hayward.

In a news release, authorities said that about 4:12 p.m. Wednesday, police dispatch received a detailed witness report of a Hispanic adult male in his 30s armed with a handgun in the area of the 29000 block of Mission Boulevard.

Hayward officers quickly responded to the area and located a suspect matching the description.

The release said that before officers could exit their vehicles, the suspect crouched behind a parked car and pointed a firearm and shot at the officers.

An exchange of gunfire then occurred between three officers and the suspect, police said. No one was struck by gunfire.

Lopez sustained a minor injury to his thumb and was medically cleared at a local hospital before being booked into jail. He was being held without bail on suspicion of attempted murder and assault with a firearm on a peace officer.

The release said the Hayward Police Internal Affairs Unit is conducting an administrative investigation to determine if the involved officers’ actions complied with department policies. The Hayward Police Homicide/Major Assaults Unit is also conducting a criminal investigation into the incident. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office was notified of the investigation.

Anyone with information related to the shooting is asked to contact Detective Nathan Scinto at 510-293-7176.

It is the first officer-involved shooting for Hayward police this year, the release said.