A 43-year-old Little Rock man is facing eight counts of attempted murder after he opened fire as authorities served a search warrant Tuesday night, police said.
Patrick Fitzgerald Johnson made an initial video appearance in Little Rock District Court on Wednesday, during which his bail was set at $250,000.
Police say they were serving a "high risk search and seizure warrant" looking for cocaine about 9 p.m. at Johnson's home at 2706 S. Washington St. when he opened fire.
One officer, whom Lt. Sidney Allen identified as five-year force veteran Scott Miles, returned fire. Police say no one was hit in the exchange of shots.
Johnson didn't speak during the brief appearance before District Judge Alice Lightle, but a public defender representing him during the hearing said he didn't know it was officers, only that it was "people with guns," when he fired.
"Once he became aware it was the police, he dropped the weapon to the floor," deputy public defender Mary Katherine Williams said.
Johnson is also charged with possession of a firearm by a certain person. Prosecutors said during the hearing he has several previous criminal convictions on charges including assault, battery and criminal impersonation.