Man charged in Mo. police shooting faces life in prison

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The man at the center of the investigation into the shooting of a Springfield police officer faces life in prison after he was formally charged on Wednesday.

Joshua Lee Hagood, 32, has been charged with first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is being held in Greene County Jail without bond.

A probable-cause statement says Hagood shot the police officer, Aaron Pearson, in the head with a stolen gun. The statement says Pearson suffered life-threatening injuries.

The statement also explains what police say happened before the shooting. It says police attempted to stop a man and a woman who were exhibiting suspicious behavior in the area of Glenstone Avenue and Chestnut Expressway early Monday morning.

The statement says police saw a silver Chevrolet Venture Van with plastic covering the driver's side window. The driver of the van was exhibiting "suspicious behaviors," so the officer followed.

The van stopped on the 1600 block of East Brower Street, and a man and woman exited, the statement says. The man went up to a house and the woman stood in the driveway and looked up and down the street, possibly acting as a lookout, the statement says.

The officer on the scene called for assistance and two other officers responded — including Pearson. The female, identified as Laurie Borghi, walked toward the responding officer, while the male walked through the yard of a residence and out of the view of the responding officer, the statement says.

The responding officer stopped the woman and asked a second officer on the scene — Pearson — to stop the male, who was now walking near the parking lot of O'Reilly Auto Parts on Chestnut Expressway and Glenstone Avenue.

Officers then heard gun shots and saw a man running away eastbound before Pearson was found lying in a grassy area along the parking lot with a gunshot wound.

Two witnesses said they heard gunshots and then saw the suspect run away from the downed officer, the statement says.

Officers established a perimeter around the area and began searching for the shooter.

Police found another female inside the van, Casssandra Houts, who identified the man who was in the van with her as Hagood.

About seven hours into an intense manhunt, officers found Hagood hiding in a fenced-in lot about 200 yards away from where Pearson was shot, the statement says.

Hagood had a handgun holster, but no gun when he was found by police, the statement says. During the investigation, a handgun was found in thick vegetation in a vacant lot about 35 yards away from where Hagood was found hiding, the statement says.

The handgun, a Ruger .38-caliber pistol, had been reported stolen Jan. 15 in a residential burglary in Republic, the statement says. Hagood is identified as a suspect in that burglary, according to the statement.

Borghi was also arrested at the scene and held on a drug charge. The statement says Borghi told police Hagood and Houts were in the van with her on the night of the shooting. Borghi said Hagood had been wearing black coveralls, and police found black coveralls near where the pistol was located, according to the statement.

Borghi told police she accompanied Hagood and a man known as "J" to Bass Pro Shops on the day before the shooting. According to the woman, "J" purchased a box of ammunition for Hagood, the statement says. Police found a receipt from Bass Pro Shops for "P Horn Critical Defense" ammunition and a box of bullets in the van, the statement says.

Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams said every available officer was pulled into the search for Hagood on Monday, which lasted seven hours.

An incident report says Hagood was arrested hours before the shooting for allegedly attempting to steal from Walmart, but he was released to a local hospital to have a cut on his hand treated.

A release from the prosecuting attorney's office says Hagood will be treated as a prior and persistent offender. The release lays out Hagood's criminal history, which includes convictions for assault of a law enforcement officer, assault, burglary, possession of a controlled substance and stealing.

First-degree assault carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Armed criminal action has a minimum sentence of three years without probation or parole and no maximum sentence. Unlawful possession of a firearm and receiving stolen property would each carry up to 15 years in prison for a prior and persistent offender like Hagood.

A release from the prosecuting attorney said Hagood would have to serve 85% of any sentence before being eligible for parole if he is found guilty.

Leora Hagood, Joshua's grandmother, said her grandson has had "an anger problem" since he was in elementary school and has struggled with alcohol and drugs for most of his life.

Officer Pearson, 30, joined the police force three years ago this week. He is married with two children.

Williams issued a news release Wednesday saying Pearson suffered "career-ending injuries" to his brain that will require long-term rehabilitation and care.

Greene County prosecuting attorney Dan Patterson said in his release that community members should keep Pearson and his family in their thoughts and prayers.

"This case is a tragic reminder of the very real dangers faced every day by the law enforcement officers we rely on to protect our community," Patterson said.