JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) _ A suspect who was shot and wounded by a Joplin police
officer has been charged with six felonies.
The Joplin Globe reports 36-year-old John Blanton, of Webb City, has been charged with first-degree assault on law enforcement, armed criminal action, first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm,
receiving stolen property and resisting arrest. He remains hospitalized under police watch. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.
Joplin police say the shooting happened Friday after an officer followed the
driver of a vehicle that was believed to be stolen to an apartment complex. The
driver then exited the truck and took off running, with the officer in pursuit.
Police say the officer fired when the driver fell and raised a handgun.
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