A man will spend at least 15 years in prison for leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase before shooting a Mississippi state trooper, according to court records.
U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock sentenced Stanley Self, Jr. this week for illegal possession of ammunition in connection with the gunfire that injured trooper Trooper Ryan Watson. Self, 25, had been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses, including robbery and aggravated assault, and was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Police reports say that on May 2, 2023, Watson conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Self in Mound Bayou. Self fled the scene, prompting a high-speed chase through Bolivar County that reached speeds of up to 120 miles per hour. Self eventually lost control of his vehicle and opened gunfire, striking Watson while attempting to flee on foot on Highway 61. Two days after the incident, U.S. Marshals took Self into custody at the Bridgewater Apartments in Brandon.
The firearm used in the shooting has not yet been found, but shell casings of the bullets were recovered and formed the basis of the federal charge against Self.
More than a year and a half has elapsed without Watson being able to return to active duty since being shot due to the nature of the injuries suffered. Self will serve this sentence concurrently with additional sentences expected to come related to the shooting.
“The actions of this defendant were reckless, violent, and endangered countless lives, including the life of a Mississippi State Trooper who has dedicated himself to protecting the citizens of Mississippi. This case is a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face every day while upholding their commitment to public safety,” Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said.
“I commend the outstanding work of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, and our federal partners in bringing this individual to justice,” Tindell continued. “We remain steadfast in our mission to hold offenders accountable and to ensure the safety of our communities.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms’ Oxford field office with assistance from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Hampton and John Herzog, Jr. prosecuted the case.
