(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) Evidence markers are placed next to the sports car that police pursued and finally stopped in Manchester early Monday morning. The driver allegedly pointed what appeared to be a handgun at an officer, who returned fire and wounded the suspect.

MANCHESTER — The series of events that culminated in an officer-involved shooting that left the suspect hospitalized and under arrest on felony charges began shortly before midnight Sunday, when police began receiving “multiple 911 calls” from several neighborhoods across the city.

Each caller reported seeing the same thing: A dark-colored convertible, bearing New Hampshire license plate “LAMAFIA,” allegedly speeding up and down streets, passing other cars, running red lights, and “doing donuts,” also known as “burnouts,” in the middle of some roads, according to police.

There were a couple of sightings of the car by officers on patrol, but when they attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, the driver allegedly “fled at a high rate of speed,” police said.

Officers pursued the vehicle briefly, but called off the pursuit due to concerns for the safety of the public.

A bit later, another officer on patrol spotted the vehicle in the parking lot of 265 Maple St., and found the driver to be inside.

(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) Manchester police officers inspect and photograph the vehicle whose driver was arrested for pointing what appeared to be a handgun at an officer who pulled the vehicle over on Maple Street.

When the officer attempted to make contact with the driver, he allegedly pulled out what police said “appeared to be a black handgun” and pointed it at the officer.

The officer then discharged his weapon, wounding the driver, who was identified as Waleed Al Thuwayni, 18, of Manchester.

Officers and members of the department’s Tactical Medics team rendered first aid until an AMR ambulance arrived and transported him to a local hospital.

Indications are Al Thuwayni’s injuries aren’t considered serious.

The weapon he allegedly pointed at the officer was located in the vehicle, and upon further inspection, it turned out to be a BB gun designed to resemble a realistic handgun, police said.

(Manchester police photo) The BB gun that an 18-year-old man allegedly pulled on an officer Sunday night is designed to resemble a realistic handgun.

Al Thuwayni is charged with one count each of reckless conduct – deadly weapon and criminal threatening – deadly weapon, both Class B felonies, along with one count of disobeying an officer, a Class A misdemeanor.

The reckless conduct charge accuses Al Thuwayni of “driving at speeds approximately 70 to 90 mph, disobeying traffic control devices (traffic lights), and placing the public in danger of serious bodily injury.”

The criminal threatening charge alleges Al Thuwayni “placed another (person) in fear of imminent bodily injury by pointing what appeared to be a black handgun at an officer.”

The disobeying charge accuses Al Thuwayni of “neglecting to stop his motor vehicle when ordered to stop by an officer … .”

The use of deadly force by the Manchester officer is being investigated by representatives of the Attorney General’s office and state police, which is standard practice in such cases.

Al Thuwayni’s arraignment has yet to be scheduled.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.