Deputy Ambushed, Shot In Head On Way To Work

Phenix City, AL – A Muscogee County sheriff’s deputy was ambushed and shot in his car on his way to work early on Thursday morning.

Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman said the incident occurred at about 6:10 a.m. on Oct. 14 as one of his department’s sheriff’s deputies was driving to work near Sandfort Road and Post Ridge Apartments in Phenix City, WRBL reported.

Sheriff Countryman said the suspect pulled up next to the deputy’s vehicle and opened fire on him.

Phenix City police responded to a call about a shooting and found the wounded deputy inside a car that was crashed into a guardrail, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.

Police said the deputy was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

The Phenix City Police Department said in a press release that the wounded deputy was transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional hospital for treatment, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.

Sheriff Countryman said the deputy was taken into surgery immediately and is expected to survive, the Associated Press reported.

The gunman – who was later identified as 31-year-old Jasmin Richardson – crashed his own vehicle shortly after he ambushed the deputy, WRBL reported.

Police said Richardson jumped out of his vehicle after the wreck and fled into the woods.

DEPUTY SHOT: Muscogee County deputy en route to Columbus for work shot and injured on Sandfort Road in Phenix City. The deputy is currently undergoing surgery, however, his injuries are not considered life-threatening at this time. Jasmin Lamar Richardson and is in custody. pic.twitter.com/IwX2jETMDw

— Colin Scroggins (@cnaw_colin) October 14, 2021

He later turned himself in to the Phenix police, WRBL reported.

Sheriff Countryman said Richardson was being held in the Russell County Jail, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.

Police said the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Officials have not said if Richardson has revealed a motive for his attack on the Muscogee County sheriff’s deputy.