news-record.com

GREENSBORO - Bond for the man accused of shooting a police officer was lowered Monday afternoon.

Early Saturday, police arrested Treymayne Dante Jackson, 22, of 1579 Lovette St. and charged him with first-degree attempted murder in the shooting of Officer M.E. Merritt behind John's Curb Market.

Merritt was shot and injured during a brief struggle with a man behind the store early Friday evening at 2000 E. Market St.

At Jackson’s initial court appearance Monday, Judge Joseph E. Turner lowered Jackson’s bond from $1 million to $150,000, which Turner said was "more in line with the bond policy in this county."

An assistant district attorney asked that Jackson’s bond remain at $1 million due to the nature of the crime he is accused of and because he has outstanding assault charges in Alamance County. Jackson asked for a court-appointed attorney. His next court appearance is Jan. 15.

Merritt, who has been with the department since January 2004, was wearing his body armor when he was shot and that protected him from the gunshot, police said. He was released from the hospital several hours after the shooting.

Merritt was accompanied by Officer P. W. Wright, who has been with the department since June 2001, police said.

Police said Friday's incident began when the two officers, who are assigned to the Tactical Special Enforcement Unit that aims to curb drugs and robbery-related crimes, approached a man behind the store and spoke with him briefly.

A short fight broke out between the man and officers, and the man pulled out a handgun and shot Merritt.

Both officers, who were in uniform, returned fire as the man fled, police said.

As is the normal protocol for officers involved in the use of deadly force, both Merritt and Wright have been assigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of an administrative investigation.