Friday, March 22, 2013 | 4 p.m.
Authorities have identified the suspect in a shootout with Mesquite Police on Thursday morning that left an officer and the suspect injured.
Daniel Wesley Runyon, 40, of Richfield, Utah, is suspected of firing at least one shot at an officer about 7:50 a.m. Thursday during a traffic stop on Sandhill Boulevard in Mesquite, according to a Mesquite Police Department news release.
Runyon allegedly stepped from his blue 1996 Geo Metro and fired a revolver at an officer, hitting him in the leg, police said. The officer was taken to Mesa View Regional Hospital in Mesquite and was reported in good condition.
The two Mesquite police officers involved in the shooting were identified Thursday as Craig Empey, 43, and Gary Erickson, 44. However, it was not clear which officer was injured in the exchange.
Runyon was wounded by return fire from the officers and was flown by helicopter to University Medical Center in Las Vegas. Runyon was in stable condition Friday, according to the Mesquite Police report.
Runyon was traveling with Tina Cornell, 48, of St. George, Utah, at the time of the traffic stop and shooting, according to Mesquite Police.
She was detained for questioning following the shooting and subsequently arrested on drug-related counts after authorities found methamphetamine in the vehicle, police said.
Runyon faces two counts of assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon, trafficking of a controlled substance, conspiracy to violate the uniform controlled substance act, illegal possession of a firearm, seven counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting a controlled substance, police said.
Cornell was arrested on counts of trafficking a controlled substance, conspiracy to violate the uniform controlled substance act, seven counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting a controlled substance, police said.
Cornell was being held at Clark County Detention Center.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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