JONES COUNTY, Miss. July 10 2020 A Jones County Sheriff’s deputy was shot while working part-time as an officer with the Sandersville Police Department early Thursday morning.

According the JCSO Sgt. J.D. Carter, the shooting happened while Deputy Miguel Grimaldo was responding to a report of a vehicle being stolen from the Bok Homa Casino around 2 a.m.

Carter said Grimaldo spotted the suspect, who was identified as 33-year-old William Belk, at a nearby gas station. Belk shot Grimaldo in the arm and face, then drove away, Carter said.

Belk was arrested after leading officers on a chase that ended at the Walmart in Laurel, JCSO officials said.

Belk, of Pachuta, is being held at the Jones County Adult Detention Center on charges of armed robbery and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a weapon.

Carter said Grimaldo is recovering from his injuries and is in stable condition.

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, which owns Bok Homa Casino, issued a statement late Thursday afternoon:

“An incident occurred this morning at Bok Homa Casino and the suspect has been apprehended by Jones County Sheriff’s Department. We want to thank all the agencies who responded and assisted. We are thankful the Bok Homa Casino security officer is in good spirits and was unharmed from the incident. We also want to extend our thoughts and prayers to the Sandersville Police Officer who was injured and wish him a speedy recovery. The incident is currently being investigated by law enforcement officials from the Choctaw Police Department, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

The investigation is being handled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Jones County Sheriff’s Office.

WDAM

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