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Man Charged with Shooting Aaron Pearson as Support for Officer Builds

Greene County Sheriff's Office

The man arrested in connection to the shooting of a Springfield Police Officer has been formally charged with the offense.

32-year-old Joshua Hagood is accused of assault of a law enforcement officer in the first degree for attempting to kill and knowingly cause serious physical injury to Officer Aaron Pearson.

A probable cause statement reads that Pearson was shot in the head and suffered serious, life-threatening injuries. He was last known to be in serious but stable condition at a local hospital.

Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson announced Wednesday Hagood has also been charged with armed criminal action for using a firearm in the commission of the crime. In addition, Hagood has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm for being a felon in possession of a firearm and with receiving stolen property for his possession and concealment of the stolen firearm used in the shooting.

Officer Pearson had been called by Officer James Cooney to assist to a report of suspicious activity exhibited by a man and woman near the corner of Chestnut and Glenstone early Monday morning.  Pearson, along with Officer Wade McElfresh, arrived on the scene.  

The statement reads that Pearson was attempting to make contact with the male and radioed that the male was not stopping for him. The officers then heard multiple gunshots, and Officer McElfresh observed a male running from the location of the area of the shots. Pearson was found lying in the grassy area along the north side of Chestnut Expressway along the parking lot of O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Credit Springfield Police Officer's Association / Facebook
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Officer Aaron Pearson

A perimeter was then established, and Hagood was found lying on the floor of a vehicle within a fenced in lot about 200 yards east of where Pearson was shot. Hagood was found in possession of a handgun holster, but not a firearm. Interviews with witnesses and additional searching found a handgun consistent with the size of Hagood’s holster about 35 yards from where he was hiding.

The probable cause statement also notes that the gun allegedly came from a recent burglary in Republic in which Hagood was identified as a suspect.

Hagood has been held in the Greene County Jail on a parole warrant while the investigation was ongoing and is now being held without bond on the new charges.

Meanwhile, several local businesses and organizations have started collecting donations for Officer Pearson and reserving a portion of proceeds to benefit him and his family.

You can make a donation on behalf of the officer through the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police Foundation via any Commerce Bank in town. Straight Edge Barber and Island Green Golf Course are among businesses donating portions of proceeds to the Officer Pearson Fund, and the Springfield Police Officers Association is asking others interested in conducting drives to raise money to email Springfieldpoa@gmail.com.

On Twitter, users can send messages to the family and law enforcement using #PrayersforSPD.

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