Police shot and injured a man in Jackson on Tuesday night after the subject allegedly opened fire on an 18-wheeler driver following a crash.
Per reports from WAPT and WLBT, a stolen Volvo struck the 18-wheeler on Interstate 220 near Clinton Boulevard. The driver of the vehicle then got out and began shooting at the driver of the semi-truck.
When law enforcement arrived on the scene, they were notified by two witnesses that shots had been fired. Detectives found the suspect on McCain Avenue, where they said he brandished a weapon. One of them responded by shooting the suspect in the lower body, causing non-life-threatening injuries to which he was transported to a local hospital to be treated for.
Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade told the local TV stations that the shooting was hapless and placed a difficult burden on responding officers.
“It’s a very volatile situation because we do not want to have to shoot or resort to deadly force in any type of situation,” Wade said. “These police officers want to go home. I have two witnesses down on the highway who saw the individual shooting specifically at the 18-wheeler driver whom he was involved in an accident with.”
Officers recovered the stolen vehicle along with the weapon used by the suspect. It’s unclear if the driver of the 18-wheeler was injured.
The detective who struck the suspect – neither of whom have had their names released – was placed on administrative leave by the Jackson Police Department pending findings from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.
“My prayers go out to the suspect. I pray that he has a very speedy recovery, so he can be held accountable for his actions out here tonight,” Wade concluded. “I also pray for the police officer and other officers involved because this is a very traumatic situation. They were very upset about what happened, but we know that they’ll be able to go home tonight.”
