2. The incident began as a traffic stop.The AP reports that Ponder tried to pull over a driver on Interstate 24 about 10:20 p.m. Sunday. The driver, later identified as Johnson-Shanks, reportedly fled, leading the officer on a high-speed chase. Ponder’s police cruiser eventually “made contact” with the suspect’s vehicle, according to police reports. The driver allegedly opened fire on Ponder’s car, hitting the trooper. The shooter, who fled on foot, is still on the run, authorities said.
