Joshua Nincehelser
Richardson County Deputy Joshua Nincehelser was charged Friday with criminal mischief, using a firearm to commit a felony, and a string of misdemeanors.
Officials say Nincehelser admitted making up the story.
He allegedly shot himself and his patrol vehicle, and then falsely reporting to dispatchers he was chasing the shooter. Investigators say the bullets were fired from the deputy’s service weapon.
On June 9, officials launched a widespread search for suspects, after Nincehelser said he was shot by a motorist he’d stopped to help. At the time, Nincehelser claimed he had stopped to offer assistance to a driver in a Dodge Neon stopped on 717 Road near Highway 75.
Nincehelser told authorities he gave chase, but called it off when he realized he’d been shot.
A state investigation revealed the bullet holes in his vehicle could not have been fired from a low-profile vehicle like a Dodge Neon. He has reportedly admitted fabricating the story to investigators.