ADAMS COUNTY, Ohio — An Adams County deputy who shot and wounded a man last year who he thought had a gun will not face charges, the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office announced Thursday.
About 12:28 a.m. on May 24, deputies with the Sheriff's Office tried to stop a suspect in a white pickup truck without license plates, according to public information officer Sgt. Adam Sherman. The suspect, later identified as Matthew Jones, was known to multiple law enforcement agencies for a variety of criminal activities, Sherman said.
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Jones did not stop for deputies, according to the DA's decision letter, and instead took off at speeds reaching more than 90 mph. He eventually got onto westbound Interstate 70 but swerved several times across the median into the eastbound lanes of the highway, the letter says.
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) was called in to assist due to the potential danger to other drivers on the highway. CSP made several failed attempts to stop the driver using tactical vehicle intervention techniques.
About 12:42 a.m., Jones stopped his truck and got out of his vehicle, the letter says. A semi-truck driver who was approaching the area saw the police lights and slowed down to about 5 mph due it being very dark, the letter says.
As the trucker drove through, Jones approached his vehicle and climbed onto the running board, according to the letter. He punched the window and yelled at the trucker to open up his door. The trucker later told investigators that Jones appeared "desperate" and that he was concerned about what might happen if he got into the vehicle. He said he was worried that he might be forced to drive somewhere, the letter says.
A deputy who witnessed that incident said the loud banging on the window led him to believe Jones "had something in his hand," the letter says. He reported that he ordered Jones to get off the truck and get to the ground.
According to the letter, Jones jumped off and cut in front of the deputy, who described seeing Jones "swing his hand up" up toward him while yelling, "I’m going to [expletive] kill you” repeatedly. The deputy said later, that at that moment he believed he was going to be shot by Jones, the letter says.
He said he believed Jones was armed with a handgun and was going to shoot him, according to the letter. He fired his weapon several times, striking Jones.
Jones was taken to the hospital and survived his injuries. The investigation revealed that Jones was unarmed at the time he was shot.
In his decision, the DA wrote that based on the deputy's statements, he believed he was going to be shot by Jones. Given Jones' prior actions, which included eluding officers and attempting to carjack a driver on the highway, the DA wrote that the deputy's use of force was "appropriate" to prevent the imminent threat of injury to the deputy or another person.
Criminal charges are pending against Jones related to this incident. He's set for trial in June on charges including attempted robbery, vehicular eluding, aggravated motor vehicle theft and DUI.
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