An Athens, Alabama man is behind bars after attempting to elude officers and at one pointing firing a sawed off shotgun at them during the course of the pursuit at around 1:00 a.m. Friday.

Investigator Jamie Chatman with the Leesburg Police Department said that Gadsden Officers initiated the chase in Gadsden with the suspect who reportedly fired multiple times into residences and was also involved in a domestic incident.

As the pursuit entered Cherokee County, Leesburg Officer Hunter Brisendine and Cedar Bluff Officer Dalton Cosby joined in. Spike strips were deployed at County Road 26 and Highway 411 South by Centre Officer Jesse Kyser.

The chase continued through Centre onto Highway 411 North Where spikes were deployed by Deputy Matt Walker at intersection of County Road 34 and Highway 411.

The suspect continued on 411 North until eventually turning left onto County Road 45 where the he pointed a 12 gauge sawed off shotgun out the window firing at pursuing officers.

The vehicle finally came to a stop at County Road 160 and County Road 45 where 27 year old Patrick Wayne Ross Richter was taken into custody and charged with three counts of Attempted Assault 3rd Degree, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Attempting to Elude.

Richter remains in the Cherokee County Detention Center without bond.

Investigator Chatman said that Richter nor any officers were injured during pursuit. Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.