Suspect in officer shooting identified

Christopher Martin

An WLBT Report

JACKSON – Swat teams raced down a closed off Capitol Street Saturday morning in downtown Jackson, along with k-9 officers on the ground and air support from Metro One.

Police were searching for Christopher Martin, 29. Police believe he’s the man that shot five-year veteran officer Rodney Daniels in the leg.

About 10:30 Daniels responded to a man with a gun call on Capitol Street. Investigators say as he approached Martin, gun fire rang out.

“We believe he discharged at least four rounds. He shot twice at the original officers, then the back-up officer chased him. Some time during that chase he fired at that officer as well,” says Assistant Jackson Police Chief Lee Vance.

JPD officers stood watch with guns drawn as the search began.

Police quickly formed a perimeter to keep the gunman, believed to be carrying a .357 handgun, in the area.

Officers and deputies from Hinds, Rankin, and Madison counties were quickly on the scene to help.

“Had it not been for that cooperation with other law enforcement this would not have been possible because the officer that was on a post, he was able to see this individual and ultimately an arrest was made,” says Jackson Police Chief Rebecca Coleman.

Police say Martin was caught about 2 P.M. Saturday near Clairmont and Capitol Streets.

After a week of deadly violence and now an officer shot in the line of duty, JPD brass reassured citizens they will continue to be vigilant to ensure everyone’s safety.

“With the different shootings and homicides that have occurred, have been incidents that unless a law enforcement officer had been present at the time it would not have been alleviated,” Coleman told a group of reporters gathered at the scene.

Daniels underwent surgery Saturday afternoon and is expected to make a fully recovery.

Martin is being charged with two counts of aggravated assault.

He is also being held on a Mississippi Department of Corrections probation violation.

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