Man who fled police located in Charleston

EAST PRAIRIE -- An East Prairie man is charged with assault of a law enforcement officer after fleeing the scene and firing a shotgun at a police car.

Kenneth Irby, 35, is charged with assault/attempted assault of a law enforcement officer, discharging a firearm at a vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest by fleeing and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident.

According to Capt. Ryan Hill of the East Prairie Police Department, an officer conducted a vehicle stop for a traffic offense at 11:19 p.m. Thursday on South Martin Street in East Prairie.

"The driver fled which resulted in a pursuit, and the driver fired (a shotgun) at the officer four times," Hill said.

The driver, who was later identified as Irby, was able to flee on foot after that, Hill said. Although the police car was hit by the bullets, the officer was not injured, he said.

For the complete story, see the Sunday edition of the Standard Democrat.