A New Jersey man has been booked at South Central Regional Jail after being released from Charleston Area Medical Center for treatment of gunshot wounds sustained during an altercation with a Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Jerome Howard Friedman Jr., 32, was booked on Aug. 10 on charges of malicious assault, obstructing-attempt to disarm an officer, and fleeing with reckless indifference after an incident that occurred on Aug. 2 and continued into the early morning of Aug. 3.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Fayette County, Friedman allegedly stole a 2006 Chevy Impala from the KFC in Flatwoods in Braxton County at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 2. At around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Deputy Massile of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department received a “Be On The Lookout” call from Fayette County 911 regarding a reckless driver.
Massile was able to set up along US Route 19 when he witnessed the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed towards Oak Hill.
While attempting a traffic stop, the officer noticed that Friedman “made an abrupt and reckless exit from US 19 at the Sheetz intersection, narrowly missing two guardrail ends and a road sign,” the complaint states. “The vehicle continued down the embankment striking a culvert/drainage area which caused extensive damage to the vehicle.”
The officer observed as the vehicle ran over a curb into the Sheetz parking lot, traveled down a dirt access road behind Sheetz and entered into a field.
At this time, the driver, later identified as Friedman, exited the vehicle and started running. The officer took off on foot after him where he was found lying in a “rock pile attempting to conceal himself,” the complaint continues.
While attempting to restrain Friedman, “the accused began to fight with [the officer] and ended up in the dominant position over Deputy Massile who ended up on his back putting the men face to face.” Friedman then allegedly attempted to disarm the officer by “grabbing at his gun and holster area.”
“While fighting back and yelling for help, Deputy Massile utilized a secondary weapon, a knife, he carries on his person and stabbed the accused in the lower back in an effort to preserve his own life. This action gave Deputy Massile time to draw his duty weapon, however the accused did not cease his attack and went back to the gun holster still attempting to disarm the Deputy,” the complaint states. “At this point Deputy Massile began to discharge his duty weapon at the accused. Several rounds struck the accused at which time he fell off of Deputy Massile and away from him stopping the attack.”
Additional officers arrived and were able to provide medical assistance until Friedman was taken to Charleston Area Medical Center. Deputy Massile also suffered from an injury and was treated and released.
Officers with the Oak Hill detachment of the West Virginia State Police conducted an investigation into the incident and formally filed criminal charges against Friedman on Aug. 4.
His cash only bail has been set at $50,000.
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