Jermel McSwain
PORTSMOUTH, Va. - After a nine-month waiting period, a suspect is facing two counts of attempted capital murder for allegedly shooting at police after a car chase.
On April 3, 2018, police in Chesapeake tried to stop a silver Ford Mustang on S. Military Highway. The driver, 35-year-old Jermel McSwain, led them on a chase into Portsmouth and parked at a mobile home park on Victory Boulevard.
Police reported McSwain shot at officers who were pursuing him once he parked and got out of his car. At the time of the shooting, McSwain escaped.
Active warrants for his arrest were issued at the time, and he was caught 10 days later in Norfolk on West Little Creek Road. At the time, McSwain was arrested for felony eluding law enforcement, possession of narcotics and parole violation in connection with a ‘situation’ at a Portsmouth trailer park.
As of January 3, 2019, the grand jury in Portsmouth has returned an indictment for 11 charges, including two counts of attempted capital murder. Court documents, acquired by News 3, reference the 2018 shooting at police and cite McSwain tried to kill the officers, prohibiting them from carrying out their official duties.
McSwain is being held in the Norfolk City Jail on two attempted capital murder charges, two counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of a firearm after a violent felony conviction, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, felony eluding and several drug charges related to the possession and distribution of narcotics.
McSwain pleaded guilty to seven out of the 11 charges in Portsmouth Circuit Court on June 13. These include: two charges of attempted capital murder, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of eluding police - endanger and one count of possession with intent to distribute schedule I/II cont. substance.
The four remaining charges were nolle prossed.
