Oakland Officer Lucky To Be Alive After Suspect's Gun Jams At Close Range

OAKLAND (KCBS) -- An Oakland police officer is lucky to be alive after a gunman allegedly tried to shoot her at close range, but his weapon didn't fire.

Last month, Sergeant Nadia Clark was responding to a call when her patrol SUV was involved in a serious crash in the 1900 block of 73rd Avenue.

She found herself trapped inside her vehicle.

Prosecutors say 30-year-old Marcus Moss ran up to the disabled SUV, made anti-police statements then fired at the Sergeant Clark, but his gun malfunctioned. Then, he reportedly tried a second time then ran off.

"She was dazed and confused from being in a significant vehicle collision, the suspect approached her... and like a coward fired up on her, one round at her vehicle," said Lieutenant Roland Holmgren at a press conference Tuesday.

Holmegren said the car was clearly marked. He heard reports that some people had come to the officer's aid. He is certain the suspect knew a cop was inside the car.

"There is little doubt in my mind that he purposely the firearm at the officer with the intent of doing serious damage and killing her."

Moss was formally arraigned on Monday.

SWAT teams arrested him late last week after he barricaded himself in a home in Stockton.

Prosecutors say after the gun malfunctioned, Moss allegedly tried to fire a second time, but ran off. His lawyers says don't jump to conclusions.

"It's very important that he is not tried and convicted in the court of public opinion," says Attorney Laura Robinson.

Moss has several felony convictions for burglary and robbery and is being held without bail.

Meantime, Sergeant Clark is still recovering from injuries from the initial collision.