NATCHEZ — Those charged with maintaining law and order in the area are supporting the actions of their officers and deputies in Sunday’s car chase.

Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins and Adams County Sheriff Ronny Brown both said their officers acted appropriately in the chase.

On Sunday when a Natchez patrol unit attempted to pull over a Ford F-150 on Canal Street for running through stop signs the driver refused to stop.

The truck’s driver, Marcus McDonald, led police officers and sheriff’s deputies on a chase that left the state and crisscrossed the city.

In an effort to stop McDonald, police used spike sticks to deflate his tires and deputies fired shots at his vehicle five times which also resulted in deflated tires.

The chase eventually ended when McDonald was caught after he abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot.

Brown said looking back on the incident he would not have changed, nor does he question, the actions of his deputies.

Mullins also said he was pleased with the way the situation was handled.

In particular, Brown said he supported his deputies decisions to shoot out McDonald’s tires.

Deputies shot at McDonald two times on Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. Streets and three times on Canal Street.

Those shots took out two of McDonald’s tires.

Bishop Street resident Frederick Allen said he saw the deputies shooting on MLK.

Allen said he was surprised by the shooting and took cover behind his own truck with his wife.

“We jumped back there to get out of the way,” he said.

Brown said the choice to shoot was the right one.

“(Deputies) did exactly what I expect my deputies to do. They’re doing their jobs,” he said. “I’m the sheriff and I back them.”

Brown said McDonald’s evasive driving and the fact that he tried to hit a deputy in a cruiser with the truck made him a danger to law enforcement and people in the area.

Brown said McDonald will also face charges of aggravated assault in Adams County once he leaves the city jail.

Brown further defended the decision to shoot by saying attempts to box-in McDonald did not work and the spikes used to deflate his tires also did not stop his vehicle.

“He could have wiped out anything with that truck,” Brown said. “We’re glad he’s off the streets.”

A decision was made against hitting McDonald’s truck with a cruiser as a means to stop because some of the streets were too crowded, Brown said.

Mullins was also quick to point out that anytime a suspect has to be chased or shot at the decision is not taken lightly.

“It’s dangerous,” he said.

In this case, NPD had jurisdiction, but asked the ACSO to provide assistance. All agencies were in radio communication throughout.

Mullins said before any pursuit is given the officer on the scene must first confirm with a patrol supervisor.

“We take a lot of factors into account,” he said.

Mullins said a things like road conditions, traffic, weather and the manor in which the suspect is driving are all accounted for when a chase starts and can determine if a chase is called off.