NASHVILLE, Tenn. – February 14, 2019 – Jamal J. Gardner, 47,
of Columbia, Tennessee, was charged today in a criminal complaint with being a
convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran
for the Middle District of Tennessee.
“As I have said many times, when a law enforcement officer
in this district is assaulted, we will bring federal charges whenever
possible,” said U.S. Attorney Cochran.
“This was an extremely violent encounter and we are grateful that lives
were not lost. We will hold this
defendant accountable for his actions.”
According to the criminal complaint, a Columbia Police
Officer initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle matching the description of a
report of a reckless driver. As the
officer approached the vehicle, he observed the driver holding a rifle and the
driver immediately began firing at the officer. As the officer took cover and
returned fire, the driver, later identified as Jamal Gardner, fled into a
nearby residence and continued firing at responding officers. Garner fired approximately 80 rounds, from at
least four firearms, before escaping from the house.
On February 8, 2019,
Garner surrendered to police in Detroit, Michigan and is awaiting transfer to
the Middle District of Tennessee.
If convicted, Garner
faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison.
This case was investigated by the Columbia Police
Department; the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint
is merely an accusation. The defendant
is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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