Man charged with shooting at Springfield police

Harrison Keegan, HKEEGAN@NEWS-LEADER.COM

A man was charged with five felonies Tuesday after he allegedly fired a gun at Springfield police officers during a foot pursuit.

Brandon Cover

Brandon L. Cover, 25, was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon by shooting at a person, unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting arrest after police say he admitted to shooting at officers while he was high on meth.

According to a probable cause statement, Springfield police were dispatched to the area of 1320 S. Glenstone Ave. early Monday morning for reports of a man with a gun who was asking for a ride because the police were after him.

When officers arrived, they noticed the man — later identified as Cover — walking in a parking lot.

Cover took off running, and the officers chased him, according to the statement.

During the pursuit, the statement says, Cover took out a handgun, fired toward the officers and then dropped the gun.

No one was hit by the bullet.

Officers eventually caught and arrested Cover nearby, according to the statement.

The statement says Cover told police he stole the gun from a vehicle parked at an apartment complex. He allegedly said he planned to trade the gun for meth.

Cover allegedly said he was high on meth during the chase and he fired the gun by accident.

A press release from the Greene County Prosecutor's Office said Cover is being held in the county jail without bond. He does not have an attorney listed for this case.

Prosecutors say Cover is a persistent felony offender who was recently placed on parole following an attempted robbery conviction.

Cover faces up to 15 years in prison if he is convicted on the unlawful use of a weapon charge.