Police in Jackson, Mississippi on Thursday identified the suspect they say wounded a police officer Wednesday morning.
Officials said that Rashad R. Caston is being sought in the shooting of Officer Abe Gines, who responded to an armed robbery call at an apartment building around 6:14 a.m., according to The Clarion-Ledger.
Caston has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, attempted armed robbery and burglary. Warrants for his arrest have been secured.
Jackson Police Chief Lee Vance said that when Gines arrived, he found that the door had been forcibly opened and entered the apartment and identified himself as an officer. That's when the gunman fired several shots at him.
Gines was grazed in the side by a bullet and was able to return fire. The suspect crashed through a window at the back of the apartment to escape and dropped his weapon as he fled the scene.
The officer continued to chase the suspect, but ultimately lost sight of him.
The eight-year veteran of the force was wearing his vest at the time of the shooting and was released from a local hospital after being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Vance commended his officer for continuing the pursuit, despite his injuries.
"That's what we do," he said. "Our officers run into dangerous situations to try to rescue innocent people. Thank God he wasn’t killed,"
The Jackson Police Department has been assisted in the manhunt by the ATF, Hinds County Sheriff's Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Madison and Richland police departments.
Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Caston is urged to contact the Jackson Police Department at (601) 960-1234 or (601) 355-TIPS (8477).
