A man accused of opening fire on Olive Branch police and leading them on a multi-state manhunt is back in Mississippi custody, authorities confirmed. Colby Alan Towles, 34, who allegedly shot at officers during a traffic stop, was extradited back to the Magnolia State from Missouri following his arrest.
Towles now faces two counts of aggravated assault of an officer and a conspiracy charge. According to reports from WREG, the chaos began when Towles, for reasons yet to be understood, aggressively approached officers at a traffic stop, engaged in a confrontation, and subsequently fired shots after driving away and performing a U-turn. His attempt to swiftly escape was cut short as US Marshals nabbed him outside the Bass Pro Angler’s Lodge Hotel in Springfield, Missouri, just before 5 p.m. Monday.
The incident escalated rapidly in the early hours of March 11 near Highway 302 and Craft-Goodman Frontage Road, as reported by FOX13 Memphis. It's detailed that after the initial exchange and Towles's flight from the scene, law enforcement was quick to initiate a cross-state pursuit that ultimately led to his capture.
Further to Towles's charges, his girlfriend, Sarah Skriver, has been detained and is charged with accessory after the fact, as cited by Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams. The couple's apprehension underscores a multi-agency effort to bring an end to a situation that certainly disrupted the suburban enclave of Olive Branch. “This is not something we are going to wait around for. We think it very important to defend our police and put this at the top of our priority list. So, we will move on this just as quickly as we can,” District Attorney Matthew Barton told Action News 5.
Towles is set to appear before a judge on April 4. While the details surrounding his motive remain unclear, this incident has highlighted the ever-present dangers law enforcement officers face and the rapid cooperation between state agencies in bringing accused criminals to justice. Notably, amidst the tumult and pursuit, a child who was with Towles during the incident is now reported safe, closing a tense chapter for the community.
