At about 10:52 pm on Friday, December 10, the Missouri Highway Patrol tried to stop a vehicle that violated traffic rules near Republic Road on the south side of Springfield, Missouri.

The driver of the vehicle did not give in, and then a brief pursuit was carried out. The driver of the vehicle drove off the road at East Amory Court in Springfield and the vehicle was disabled. The driver held a shotgun and fired at the soldiers. Cavalry Colton Baker was shot and seriously injured. The police officer fired back at the suspect. The suspect fled the scene on foot. The soldier was taken to the local hospital in stable condition.

Law enforcement officers established a border around the area. During the investigation, 37-year-old Justin M. Jackman, Bolivar, Missouri, was identified as the relevant person. At approximately 7:25 in the morning, a police officer from the Missouri Highway Patrol positioned Jackman around the search area and was detained without any incident. Jackman was sent to Green County Jail and held for 24 hours.

On Saturday, December 11, the Greene County Attorney’s Office charged Jackman with first-degree assault, armed crime, felony possession of a firearm, and resisting arrest. Jackman was detained without bail.

The Drug and Crime Control Department of the Missouri Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. The investigation is ongoing. The Missouri Highway Patrol was assisted by the Springfield Police Department, Green County Sheriff’s Office, Green County Park Rangers, Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Cox Ambulance Service, and Springfield Fire Department.

Cavalry Baker was hit by a shotgun in the head and chest, but officials said he was in stable condition Saturday morning.