DeSoto police arrested a man Monday night after receiving multiple calls from residents reporting an unknown individual allegedly discharging a firearm in the area.
The incident occurred on Nov. 26 at approximately 9:30 p.m. in the 200 block of North Hampton Road, according to police.
The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Jazion Lederrick Williams of DeSoto, was reportedly discharging a firearm recklessly behind a daycare.
Authorities have not confirmed whether Williams was targeting someone or shooting indiscriminately.
When officers arrived at the scene, they located Williams hiding in the backyard playground of the daycare.
Upon being discovered, Williams jumped a fence behind the daycare and fled on foot through a nearby neighborhood.
DeSoto police deployed a drone and a K9 unit to aid in the search.
The drone operator tracked Williams as he moved eastbound near a local church.
After an intense foot chase, officers apprehended him in a neighborhood near Chattey Road.
During the arrest, police searched a backpack Williams was carrying and found an AR-15-style pistol inside.
Officers also recovered more than 15 spent rifle casings from the daycare’s backyard, where Williams had initially been spotted.
Williams was charged with two Class A misdemeanors: “Evading Arrest or Detention” and “Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon.”
The DeSoto Police Department praised the swift actions of their officers and the community’s assistance in reporting the incident.
“Great job by the DeSoto Police (Charlie Shift) officers. DeSoto Police would also like to thank all of our citizens who reported seeing the suspect recklessly discharging the firearm,” the department stated in a Facebook post.
“The information you all provided to the emergency dispatchers was instrumental in the apprehension of the suspect and helped prevent any further risk to the community. Remember, if you see something, say something!”
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.