A tentative trial date has been set for Bronson Anderson, whose charges include two counts of attempted murder of a police officer following a May 2022 incident that included one officer being struck by a bullet along with an overnight manhunt that ended in Spencer County, Indiana.
During a Friday court appearance, a trial start date was scheduled for September 25, 2023, pending the completion of another trial that same month. Anderson, 33, of Rockport, was deemed competent to stand trial after passing a competency evaluation.
“It is in my opinion that Mr. Anderson does have the capacity to appreciate the nature of the consequences of the proceedings against him. It is also my opinion that he does have the capacity to potentially take the stand,” Forensic Psychologist Steven Sparks said.
Anderson’s initial charges of assault and wanton endangerment of a police officer were each amended up to attempted murder. Other charges include first-degree robbery, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, theft by unlawful taking of an automobile, and receiving a stolen firearm.
The charges stem from an incident on May 14, 2022. According to the Owensboro Police Department, at approximately 8:54 p.m. that night officers were investigating a suspicious person at 1816 Triplett Street (Eagles Convenience Store). This individual and his vehicle matched the description from an earlier reported robbery at 217 E. 25th Street (Franey’s Food Mart), according to OPD.
The suspect — later identified as Anderson — began a physical altercation with officers during questioning, according to the release. At that time Anderson is alleged to have fired one round from a handgun that was concealed, and an officer was struck.
OPD later identified the officer as Jacob Chesher, who recovered shortly after the incident.
After the shooting, Anderson immediately stole an OPD police vehicle belonging to the officer and fled the scene, according to the release. The vehicle was recovered a short time later in Spencer County, Indiana.
Overnight, multiple law enforcement agencies worked together to identify the suspect and arrested at 5:12 a.m. on May 15. (Editor’s note: When Anderson was arrested he was booked under the last name Lindsey, which police have since said was an alias.)
