Police Shoot Man Suspected Of Killing Ex-wife

Thursday, October 4th 2007, 11:39 am

By: News On 6

PLAINFIELD, Ind. (AP) Terre Haute Police fatally shot a man suspected of killing his ex-wife after he lead officers on a high-speed highway chase, then sat in his SUV and waved a gun with a child on his lap, authorities said.

Authorities said the suspect, Major Jones III, 28, killed his ex-wife, Jessica Jones, in Terre Haute and then led officers a chase at speeds as fast as 90 mph on Interstate 70 late Wednesday.

They say Major Jones III had four children, ages 2 to 6, in tow.

The chase started when officers spotted the eastbound sport utility vehicle and tried to stop it by deflating the tires. The driver continued before eventually stopping, state police Sgt. Rich Myers said.

Major Jones III released three of the children after talking with officers, but held on to the fourth, who was in his lap, Sgt. Rich Myers said.

``He did make a wave of the gun toward the child and was making some comments that were considered life-threatening,'' Sgt. Rich Myers said. State Trooper Terry Watson then shot and killed him, he said.

Police Sgt. Rich Myers said Trooper Terry Watson, a member of the agency's Emergency Response Team, had to shoot.

``The decision was made for him,'' Sgt. Rich Myers said. ``The decision was made by the suspect when he pointed the gun at officers and the child.''

The couple, divorced for about four years, had met Wednesday so he could give her child support money, said Terre Haute police investigator Bill Bergherm. They got into an argument, and Major Jones III tried to shove his ex-wife into his vehicle, Bergherm said.

She escaped and ran to the nearby Drury Inn, where she worked, but could not get in because the building was locked after hours, he said. Major Jones III then fired several shots and Jessica Jones, 26, died near the doors of the motel, police said.