A man shot by Crystal City Police officers this past weekend has been identified and charged with two felonies in Jefferson County.
Jarrett Wade Cousins, 40, of Bradford, Ark., has been charged with first-degree assault, a class A felony that is punishable by 10 to 30 years or life in prison, and armed criminal action, an unclassified felony that carries a penalty of three to 15 years in prison. Court documents show the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Cousins on Monday, a day after police shot him, and the charges were unsealed today, Dec. 11.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported today that Cousins was in critical condition at an area hospital and had not been booked at Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro. When Cousins is released from the hospital, he will be held without bond, according to court records.
The Sheriff’s Office also reported there is an ongoing homicide investigation in Arkansas because a woman’s body was found in the pickup Cousins was driving before being shot. Sheriff’s Office detectives have worked with the FBI and Arkansas law enforcement agencies to determine the woman was killed in northeast Arkansas, Sheriff Dave Marshak said in today’s statement announcing the charges in Jefferson County against Cousins.
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Sheriff’s Office identified the body found in the pickup as Clara B. Blaxton, 45, of northeast Arkansas. Investigators said they believe Blaxton had been in a relationship with Cousins.
The Arkansas State Police are leading the homicide investigation, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
“The members of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank our law enforcement partners in both Missouri and Arkansas for their cooperation,” Marshak said in today’s statement. “Many investigators worked day and night to bring this case to the point where it is today. There is still plenty of work to do, and we wish all the best for the Arkansas State Police as they work to provide justice for the victim and her family.”
According to information released after the shooting on Dec. 8 during a press conference involving Crystal City Police Chief Chad Helms, Festus Police Chief Doug Wendel and Marshak, officers responded to a call about 11:10 a.m. that day for shots fired on the parking lot of the White Castle restaurant, 1000 Veterans Blvd. (Hwy. A), in Festus. Police chased the suspect driving the Ram east on Hwy. A.
Wendel reported that Festus and Crystal City officers attempted to stop the Ram, which continued south on Truman Boulevard, struck a concrete median and spun around before stopping in front of the Crystal City Center plaza.
Helms said the suspect, who was wearing body armor, exited the pickup holding multiple weapons. He said two Crystal City officers attempted to get the man to drop the weapons.
According to the case’s probable-cause statement, Cousins fired a handgun multiple times in an unknown direction after ignoring officers’ commands to drop his weapons. Officers returned fire at Cousins, who was struck one time in the abdomen.
Cousins fell after being shot, but he continued to ignore the officers’ orders to surrender. He allegedly pointed a gun at officers while on the ground, and Crystal City officers shot at him before he could fire the gun again, the report said.
After officers shot at Cousins a second time, he was subdued. He was then transported to an area hospital.
The case’s probable-cause statement said shell casings were recovered from the White Castle parking lot and the roadway near the driver’s side door of the Ram.
No other injuries were reported from the shooting.