Suspect charged for fleeing, firing shots at state trooper on I-65

Published 3:26 pm Friday, August 15, 2014

Law enforcement agencies from Chilton County assisted Alabama State Troopers on Thursday after a West Palm Beach, Fla. driver shot at a state trooper on Interstate 65 in Autauga County.

The driver, Nelson Bell, 19, has been charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, shooting into an occupied vehicle, burglary, two counts of receiving stolen property and several traffic offenses, according to a press release from Sgt. Steve Jarrett with the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

8-17 Trooper Chase_Mug for WEB

Bell is currently being held in the Elmore County Jail.

The Clanton Police Department and the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department were alerted around 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday that an Alabama State Trooper was in pursuit of a vehicle traveling on I-65 northbound.

The trooper attempted to stop a vehicle for driving 91 miles per hour in a 70-miles-per-hour zone on I-65 southbound near the 184-mile marker in Autauga County.

Jarrett said Bell, who was driving the vehicle, attempted to elude the trooper and fired gunshots at the trooper during the pursuit.

Another trooper deployed spike strips in front of the fleeing vehicle, bringing it to a halt on I-65 northbound near the 195-mile marker, according to the release.

Bell fled the vehicle on foot, but was apprehended by troopers.

There were no injuries to the troopers or Bell.

Evidence suggests Bell was the vehicle’s sole occupant at the time of the incident.

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation is investigating and will report its findings to the district attorney’s office.

Jarrett said additional charges may follow as the ABI is working with other law enforcement agencies in Alabama and Florida to determine the extent of Bell’s criminal activity.

Nothing further is available at this time as the investigation is ongoing.

Chilton County E-911 posted on Facebook Thursday that all Chilton County law enforcement units were returning to service at 2:36 p.m.