A Moniteau County deputy shot at a California man early Monday morning after the man reportedly jumped out of his stalled vehicle at a flooded low-water crossing and turned toward the deputy before fleeing on foot.
According to a county sheriff's department release, a deputy attempted to conduct a vehicle stop near Sunny Side Road shortly after midnight when it accelerated and fled. The deputy pursued the vehicle down Mt. Hope Road, where it attempted to drive through the low-water crossing, causing it to stall.
The release indicates the suspect - later identified as Dalton Fisher, 21, of California - jumped out of the vehicle, while the deputy was still on the other side of the high, fast-moving water. The deputy ordered the suspect to show his hands. Then, the suspect "turned toward the deputy with a shooting stance" and the deputy fired at the suspect.
The suspect then ran away. Other deputies and a K-9 officer arrived to search, tracking the suspect to the water's edge where he had fallen in and then finding where he left the water and discarded his drenched coat. After several hours on foot in extreme cold, deputies called off the search without finding Fisher.
When they searched the suspect vehicle, deputies reportedly located methamphetamine, drug packaging materials, digital scales and two weapons, an AR-15 rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun, both of which were loaded.
Warrants for Fisher's arrest charge him with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, distribution of a controlled substance and first-degree assault on law enforcement. Bond is set at $75,000.
Anyone with any information about Fisher's whereabouts is urged to contact the Moniteau County Sheriff's Office or their local law enforcement agency.