Man Charged with Attempted Murder after Firing at Pelham Police Officers

PELHAM, AL - A 38-year-old Bessemer man was arrested late Monday evening after he fired shots at Pelham police officers while attempting to flee after a traffic stop revealed he had an outstanding warrant. John Arden Mason IV has been charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, one count of obstruction of justice, one count of possession of marijuana in the second degree, one count of attempting to elude law enforcement and one count of carrying a pistol without a license.

Mason was initially stopped for having inoperable taillights, and Pelham police found he was wanted on a domestic violence charge. Reports say Mason gave another person's ID to the officers at fisrt, and while he was waiting for police to check the ID, he drove away. This led police on a high-speed chase that ended after Mason fired shots at a police vehicle, and eventually ran into a wooded area near the Lowe's on Valleydale Road in Hoover. The Hoover Police Department and one of their K-9 officers assisted the PPD with apprehending Mason. Several shell casings and a handgun were found at the scene.

Mason is currently being held at the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $137,000.