The Starkville teenager injured in June’s police chase and officer-involved shooting now faces two additional felony charges.
Zyterrious L. Gandy, 19, made his initial appearance in court Thursday after he was charged this week with three counts of aggravated assault of a police officer and one count of failing to stop a motor vehicle when signaled by an officer while leading officers on a pursuit this summer.
His bond, originally set at $35,000, was increased to $45,000 after Starkville Police Department tacked on two additional charges: grand larceny and malicious mischief.
Court records allege Gandy stole a black 2014 Acura ILX from 101 Starr Ave., and the malicious mischief charge stems from the damage he caused to a homeowner’s front porch when he attempted to escape law enforcement.
Gandy was taken into custody June 3 after leading officers on a vehicle pursuit along South Montgomery Street and South Wedgewood Road.
Officers responding to a shoplifting report at the Highway 12-South Montgomery Street Sprint Mart began pursuing Gandy as he drove away from the area.
A traffic stop was attempted in the South Wedgewood Road area, but Gandy, who was still behind the wheel at the time, backed into at least one SPD patrol vehicle.
At that point, at least one officer opened fire, Mississippi Bureau of Investigations spokesperson Warren Strain previously confirmed.
The aggravated assault affidavits against Gandy allege the suspect attempted to use his vehicle as a weapon against three police officers but does not identify those law enforcement agents.
After striking the residence’s porch, Gandy again attempted to drive away from the area.
It is believed another round of gunfire occurred then, Strain said in June.
The vehicle circled around the home, where Gandy abandoned the ride and attempted to run away.
He was apprehended a short distance away.
Gandy was injured during the incident, stabilized locally and airlifted to Jackson for further treatment.
Two days after the shooting, SPD Chief Frank Nichols announced an unidentified police officer was placed on paid leave.
Since the incident, both MBI and SPD have released few details as the state agency took control of the investigation.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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