Man Who Fled Homicide Scene, Shot At Officer Charged With Assault

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A man who led police on a car chase and fired at an officer while fleeing on foot was charged with assault Monday.

According to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, 28-year-old Derrick Zechariah Smith was charged with first degree assault.

According to the criminal complaint, Smith led police on a chase after fleeing the scene of a shooting turned homicide in Prior Lake.

An Eden Prairie police officer brought the vehicle Smith and two others were traveling in to a stop in Edina. Smith fled on foot and fired at the officer who pursued him.

Once backup arrived, Smith was arrested. He and a 39-year-old woman were jailed on suspicion of murder.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Smith was charged with a shooting last week and is a key suspect in the Prior Lake murder of 42-year-old James Herron. Freeman also said authorities in Milwaukee want to question Smith in connection with a murder there.

Smith is expected in court Tuesday. Prosecutors are seeking $1 million bail.