Guilty verdict in shooting of Shawnee cop

From the JoCo DA:

Alexander Ayers was found guilty by a Johnson County jury today in connection with a February 17, 2008 of shooting Shawnee County Police Officer Wade Willson, who was not harmed because the bullet struck him in his bulletproof vest.

Before the trial began on Monday, Ayers plead guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge and felony possession of a firearm, but the trial still went forward because Ayers plead not guilty to the charge that he had attempted to murder Officer Willson.

“Thankfully, Officer Willson wasn’t seriously hurt, and the jury sent a strong message that Johnson County won’t tolerate attacks on our police officers,” said Assistant District Attorney Sarah Geolas, who prosecuted the case.

The incident began when Shawnee County police responded to numerous reports of shots being fired at 6640 Park in Shawnee, Kansas.  When officers arrived on the scene, Ayers attempted to flee behind the houses.  Several officers were searching for Ayers when he fired multiple rounds at Officer Willson, one of them striking him in his abdomen where he was wearing a protective vest.  Officer Willson returned fire, but Ayers fled into the woods and was apprehended a short time later.