A judge on Thursday set bond at $250,000 for 28 year old Brandon Richey, one of two men involved in a confrontation with police Tuesday that left a suspect and a police officer injured by gunfire.
Richey is charged with Flight to Avoid Arrest. Prosecutors say Richey was driving a car that police tried to pull over around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. 36 year old John Ezell Jr. was a passenger in the car.
The traffic stop was initiated near 26th and Laurel but authorities say Richey continued driving. As he turned north onto 30th Street, Officer Ken Fortune tried to put down stop sticks. His first attempt failed and as he tried again, he turned and faced Ezell, who had a gun pointed at Fortune.
Police say he asked, ‘What’s going on?’ before shooting at Officer Fortune, hitting his microphone and his shoulder. Police say Ezell opened fire on two other officers, who returned fire. A total of seven shots were fired between Officers Jeffrey Wasmund and Christopher Brown.
Ezell was hit several times before being arrested and Officer Fortune was able to get up and arrest Richey who had his hands in the air.
Ezell and Officer Fortune were hospitalized with injuries and are recovering.