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Police apprehended a Franklin man Thursday, April 3, who allegedly tried to injure a law enforcement officer and fled police early Saturday morning, March 29, while being questioned in connection with a report of shots fired in the Main Street area of Franklin.

A Franklin Police Department (FPD) news release stated that on April 3 at about 5:42 p.m., FPD officers were contacted by the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office and provided information that an individual matching the description of the Franklin man, Jerry Williams, was in the 1100 block of Carrsville Road in Franklin. 

FPD officers and Isle of Wight sheriff’s deputies responded to the location and subsequently located and apprehended Williams, police said.

The release stated that Williams is charged with Attempted Malicious Bodily Injury to a Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of a Firearm After Being Convicted of a Felony, Eluding Police, Obstruction of Justice, Shooting from a Vehicle, Shooting Into an Occupied Vehicle, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, Discharge a Firearm in a Public Place, Attempted Malicious Wounding, Reckless Driving, and Hit and Run. 

The release noted that Williams would be transported to the Western Tidewater Regional Jail where he would appear before the magistrate for a bond hearing.

“The City of Franklin Police Department would like to thank the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the apprehension of Mr. Williams,” FPD officials said.

A March 29 FPD news release stated that on that date at about 1:13 a.m., FPD officers were dispatched to the Main Street area of Franklin in reference to a report of shots being fired. A description of the vehicle and suspect were obtained by officers, and a search of the area was conducted, police said.

The vehicle was located, and the operator was identified as Williams, a resident of Franklin. 

“While questioning Mr. Williams about the incident, he fled the scene, striking a vehicle on Edwards Street,” FPD officials stated in the release. “Mr. Williams then fled the accident scene on foot.”

Police noted that members of the Virginia State Police Tactical Response Team and the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office assisted the FPD with a search for Williams in the 300 block of Edwards Street with negative results. 

Both the March 29 and April 3 FPD releases concluded by stating that if anyone has information about this incident or other criminal activity within the city of Franklin, they are asked to call Franklin Police at 757-562-8575, Franklin Crime Solvers at 757-516-7100, or contact the FPD online at p3tips.com. Information that leads to an arrest can earn the caller a cash reward while remaining anonymous.