An Arkansas man faces assault and armed criminal action charges following a Sunday incident in Jefferson County where authorities say the suspect, who had the body of a dead woman with him, fired shots from his vehicle in Festus before being subdued by law enforcement. 

Jarrett Cousins, 40, of Bradford Arkansas, is being held without bond.

Police responded to a shots fired call in Festus Sunday and while trying to pull Cousins’ vehicle over, said he instead took off before hitting a concrete barrier on HIghwayand 67 in Crystal City.

He was wearing body armor and displayed multiple weapons. According to court documents, police say Cousins shot a weapon in an unknown direction, with officers returning fire, hitting him in the abdomen. When he pointed a weapon at police, officers again fired. Cousins is in critical condition at a St. Louis area hospital.

Authorities identified the body of the woman in the car as Clara Blaxton, who they believe was in a relationship with Cousins. Her cause of death is still under investigation, but the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office says she died in Arkansas. Local investigators have gone to Arkansas to assist with the probe, which includes the FBI and Arkansas State Police.