Alleged shooter still in hospital, but not on taxpayers' dime

TUSCUMBIA — The man who allegedly shot at law enforcement during and after a chase which originated in Tishomingo County (Mississippi) remains hospitalized, but it’s no longer on the Colbert County taxpayers’ dime.

John William Griffin, 53, of Iuka, Mississippi, suffered a traumatic brain injury after he was shot in the head by a Colbert County sheriff's deputy Thursday morning in Leighton.

Griffin was charged by the sheriff’s office with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of menacing, and one count each of second-degree assault, attempting to elude (with death or injury), second-degree criminal mischief, and reckless endangerment.

His bond was set at $100,000, but when Griffin was awake and taken off the ventilator, he signed an own-recognizance bond, according to Colbert County Sheriff Eric Balentine.

“Since he had been in the hospital until he signed for his bond, we had security outside of his hospital room 24/7,” Balentine said. “If we felt like he presented a danger to anyone, we’d still have someone there 24/7.”

By signing the bond, the county taxpayers are no longer required to pay for Griffin’s medical care, according to Balentine.

“We’ve already had to pay for a brain surgery, and that’s a medical bill the sheriff’s office and the county taxpayers will have to absorb,” he said. “It cost the county taxpayers to maintain security at the hospital, too.”

Balentine said that his office remains in constant contact with the hospital to check on Griffin’s status.

“We don’t know how long he will be in the hospital and what the long-term effects will be if he does get out of the hospital or be put in a rehabilitation facility,” Balentine added.

Tishomingo County Sheriff’s Office also has been in contact Balentine about arrest warrants for Griffin regarding the beginning of the chase, which originated from a checkpoint set up by the sheriff’s office on U.S. Highway 72.

After going through the checkpoint, Griffin led police on a chase across the state line into Colbert County along Highway 72 until he turned onto County Line Road and into Leighton.

Once in Leighton, Griffin attempted to elude law enforcement until he turned onto Daryl Lane, where the shootout occurred.