Good afternoon,

As you all know this morning at 9:45 we had an Officer involved shooting incident.
When I briefed you all around NOON the investigation was still very much in progress and I was unable to provide answers to some of your questions.   In our effort to inform the public on matters of importance I would like to speak in more detail about facts that led up to the officer/suspect encounter.

Officer P. G. Yarber II was on routine patrol this morning when he observed a small pick up truck driving on Soutel Dr.
Officer Yarber indicated that the truck fit the general description of a suspicious vehicle that may have been involved in some recent burglaries in the area. Officer Yarber began to follow the vehicle with the intention of conducting a traffic stop and conducting an interview pertaining to the recent burglary incidents. As Officer Yarber began to follow the truck.
The driver of the truck began to flee from the officer. The officer with his emergency lights engaged now began to pursue the truck. The truck turned off of Soutel Dr onto Moncrief Rd and then onto Hull Dr. and turned again onto Ageson Rd.
The driver turned into the driveway at 5454 Ageson Rd. and jumped out of the truck while the truck was still in motion. Officer Yarber stopped his patrol car just off the roadway and began to run after the fleeing driver. Once Officer Yarber got close to the suspect he deployed his Taser. The suspect fell to the ground and immediately began to get back to his feet while at the same time reaching into his pant pocket.
Officer Yarber saw the suspect pull out a chrome, semi automatic pistol, that was fully loaded. Officer Yarber then fired three shots at the suspect striking him once in the lower back area.

The suspect has been identified as Ronald Alan Evans 26 years old. Evans has a criminal history involving illegal drugs, driving offenses, and a fighting charge.

Officer P.G. Yarber has been with JSO since 2001 and has been working as a Police Officer since 2007.

As is standard protocol Officer Yarber has been placed on administrative leave.