ESCONDIDO – The names of two officers involved in the shooting of a suspected drunken driver who authorities say was armed with two handguns were released Wednesday.

Officers John Mougier and Edward Varso shot David Charles Phillips 44, of Escondido after he failed to pull over and led officers on a several-mile long chase Friday night, said Escondido police Lt. Bob Benton.

Mougier has been on the force 23 years. Varso is a canine officer who has been with the department seven years and spent three years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Mougier spotted Phillips driving a black Nissan pickup at Del Dios Highway and Valley Parkway just before 10 p.m. and tried to pull him over, Benton said.

Phillips took off and led officers on a short chase that ended on Gamble Lane near Felicita Road, where he hit a parked truck and then drove over a steep embankment on the dead-end road as he tried to make a U-turn, Benton said.

Both officers got out of their vehicles and opened fire after Phillips pointed a gun at them from inside the truck, Benton said.

Phillips was hit several times, Benton said. He declined to say whether or not Phillips fired at the officers or how many bullets they fired.

Phillips is a convicted felon, Benton said.

He will be charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, possession of methamphetamine, being under the influence of a controlled substance and felony drunk driving, as well as other charges. He is still in the hospital and is expected to be arraigned this week.

Police found two loaded handguns in the truck, Benton said.

Both officers are on routine administrative leave. The District Attorney's offices will investigate the shooting.

---