Moberly Man Shot by Sheriff’s Deputies Arrested

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says that a Moberly man who was shot by sheriff's deputies on Monday has been arrested on a Randolph County felony warrant for a number of charges, including first degree assault on a law enforcement officer (two counts), armed criminal action (two counts), unlawful possession of a firearm, and receiving stolen property.

34-year-old James R. Fainter, of Moberly, has been identified as the suspect. He is accused refusing to stop for a traffic violation, which led to a chase through Randolph County that ended near Huntsville, Missouri, where police say Fainter exited his vehicle, fled on foot, and fired at two Randolph County deputies. Fainter was struck twice as deputies returned fire. No members of law enforcement were injured.

A female passenger in Fainter's vehicle was questioned and later released. Fainter is being treated in Columbia for injuries sustained the shootout.

Press release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol

EMPHASIS: Arrest Following Investigation Of Officer-Involved Shooting In Randolph County

As a result of an investigation of the officer-involved shooting that occurred on April 25, 2016, in Randolph County, James R. Fainter, 34, of Moberly, Missouri, was arrested on a Randolph County felony warrant for the following felony charges: first degree assault on a law enforcement officer (two counts), armed criminal action (two counts), unlawful possession of a firearm, and receiving stolen property. Bond has been set at $100,000. Fainter remains in a Columbia, Missouri, hospital recovering from injuries sustained in the incident.

At approximately 11 a.m., on April 25, 2016, a Randolph County sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop Fainter, who was driving a 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada, on a Randolph County road in southwest Randolph County for a traffic violation. Fainter refused to stop and led the deputy on a pursuit that ended west of Huntsville, Missouri, on U.S. Highway 24. As Fainter exited the vehicle he was driving, he began to flee on foot, two Randolph County deputies began to give chase. At this time Fainter displayed a firearm and fired it toward officers. Randolph County deputies returned gunfire and Fainter was struck twice. A female passenger who was in the vehicle with Fainter was questioned and later released.

The investigation is being conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, with the assistance of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, Moberly Police Department, Huntsville Police Department, and the Randolph County Ambulance District.

The charges for which Fainter was arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before of court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.