UPDATE:
Both suspect are now in custody. McClure turned himself in Saturday night, and as of early Sunday afternoon, Farmer is in custody.
Both suspect are now in custody. McClure turned himself in Saturday night, and as of early Sunday afternoon, Farmer is in custody.
ORIGINAL INFORMATION:
Police are looking for one man wanted for Attempted Capital Murder for allegedly shooting at a West Memphis Police officer Friday night.
West Memphis Police say Jaylen Farmer, 20 and Vondre McClure, 19 failed to stop during a traffic stop and opened fire on a West Memphis Police officer. The incident happened just before the 7th anniversary of two West Memphis Police officers deaths.
West Memphis Police says Vondre McClure turned himself in to the West Memphis Police Department Saturday just before 10:00 p.m. Friday around 9:30 p.m. Captain Joe Baker with the West Memphis Police Department says an officer tried to pull over Farmer and McClure after they left a Citgo Gas Station on South Avalon for a traffic violation and they failed to stop. Investigators say as the officer tried to pull them over, a back seat passenger leaned out the window with an AK-47 and opened fire.
A similar incident happened May 20th, 2010. Former West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert lost his son Sergent Brandon Paudert and his former officer Bill evans during a traffic stop on I-40.
“Losing those guys was the worst days of my career in law enforcement so it’s painful…the day is May the 20th, 7 years later and holidays and the anniversary of the death are particularly painful,” Paudert explained. “There is a pain that is nothing deeper than losing a child, even though Brandon was 39 years old.”
Paudert says this day doesn’t get easier, he says it stings a little more after hearing of Friday night’s shooting.
“You know Annette, that’s what Brandon and Bill were killed with an AK 47, 16-year-old kid never been to school, he and his father were domestic terrorists,” Paudert said.
Paudert is thankful Friday’s situation wasn’t deadly. He still remembers the day his son died vividly and travels around the nation offering support to law enforcement.
“That’s the way this country is going there is no respect for officers,” Paudert said. “Two officers per car would be one thing to help but whenever officers are on a traffic stop by themselves whether there is one in there or five that makes no difference they need back up every traffic stop.”
West Memphis Police are still looking for Jaylen Farmer. Crimestoppers is offering up to $2,000 for information that may lead to his arrest.
