Bond set at $250,000 for man charged with shooting Jasper County deputy

A $250,000 surety bond has been set for at St. Louis men charged with three felonies in connection with Wednesday's shooting of Jasper County Deputy Nolan Murray, while he and nine other Ozark Drug Task Force members were attempting to serve a warrant at the Econo Lodge motel on Range Line.

E. F. Fitchpatrick, 43, is charged with first degree assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Murray is expected to make a complete recovery.

EARLIER JOPLIN POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE

On March 1st, 2017 at 3:48p.m. officers with the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team were attempting to serve a search warrant at the Econo Lodge Hotel, 3510 South Range Line Road. As officers attempted to make entry into the second floor room a gun shot (s) was fired at the officers through a window striking Jasper County Deputy Nolan Murray. Deputy Murray, who was wearing a bullet resistant vest suffered injury from the gun shot and was transported by EMS to Freeman Hospital. Officers on scene requested assistance through Joplin Dispatch.

Officers with the Joplin Police Department arrived and a SWAT operation was activated. After failed attempts to establish contact with the suspect in the room, officers deployed chemical munitions into the room. EF Fitchpatrick Jr (43) of St. Louis, exited the room and was taken into custody and transported to Mercy Hospital by EMS.

Deputy Murray remains at the hospital in stable condition.

Fitchpatrick, is currently still in the hospital for treatment and will remain in police custody.

Assistance was provided by the Newton County Sheriff’s Department, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Duquesne Police Department, Webb City Police Department, Carthage Police Department, METS, Newton County EMS, Joplin Fire, and MoDOT.