A 21-year-old Kalihi man charged with attempted first-degree murder came within inches of hitting two plainclothes police officers with a stolen car before he was shot Saturday morning, according to a police affidavit filed in the case.

Officer Gilbert Yrojo Jr. fired three shots at Reinier Sales after Sales revved the engine of a stolen Dodge Neon, accelerated and then screeched the car's tires despite repeated police commands to stop on Makuahine Place in Kalihi, the affidavit said.

Yrojo fired at Sales out of "great fear that he and his partner were going to die because of the limited avenues of space and a reckless vehicle cornering them," the affidavit said.

One bullet hit Sales in the upper right armpit area. He was taken to a hospital, treated for his wound and released that day.

Police charged Sales with attempted first-degree murder, two charges of attempted second-degree murder, one count of unauthorized control of a motor vehicle and first-degree robbery.