Suspect charged, deputy has surgery after Randolph County shooting
RANDOLPH COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Randolph County deputy reportedly shot by a suspect over the weekend had surgery Sunday, the sheriff said.
The Randolph County Prosecutor's Office has charged Jason D. Garner, 42, of Moberly, with felony counts of first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. The deputy, Zachary Baker, Garner is accused of shooting faces about a three-month recovery, Sheriff Aaron Wilson said Monday.
Garner is accused of fighting with deputies who responded to a domestic dispute in the 600 block of Adams Avenue early on Sunday morning, according to court documents. Deputies reportedly entered the home after they heard screaming.
Deputies said they found a woman and Garner on the second floor of the home. The woman reportedly had injuries to her face.
Body camera footage shows Garner reaching for a deputy's gun, according to the sheriff's office. Garner allegedly shot Baker in his right leg below the knee moments later.
The court documents reveal Baker was taken to a hospital with a serious but non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
Sheriff Wilson said Baker is recovering well despite his injuries.
"It shattered his tibia and fibula, they were able to repair and reconstruct his leg which was successful," Sheriff Wilson said.
Baker has been with the department for almost two years. He started as a jailer, went to law enforcement academy and now has been a deputy for about eight months.
Wilson said incidents like this are rare, but they do happen.
"Obviously it can happen and it's something that we are trained to keep from happening but in a scuffle trying to get someone in custody it can happen," Sheriff Wilson said.
Deputies took Garner to the Boone County jail after he was taken into custody, where he is now being held without bond. Garner has a previous conviction for unlawful use of a weapon in Randolph County in May 2005, according to court documents.
Wilson said deputies took Garner to Boone County to prevent any conflict of interest or claims of mistreatment. Garner was set to be moved to the Cooper County Jail on Monday and has an initial court appearance set for Monday in Randolph County.
