CLINTON COUNTY — Bail has been increased from $150,000 to $800,000 for a 37-year-old Salem man accused in Clinton County Court of shooting at a Wamac police officer during a foot pursuit.

Charges against Ian Merideth have been amended to include three Class X felonies for attempted murder, and aggravated discharge of a firearm at a police officer, and aggravated battery of a police officer, along with Class 2 felony being a felon in possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Ian Merideth

Original charges against Merideth that remain are misdemeanor reckless conduct, two counts resisting a police officer, and possessing a firearm without a FOID.

Two of the new Class X felony charges had originally been filed as misdemeanor charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and resisting a police officer.

According to Wamac Police Chief Steve Prather, the officer noticed Merideth walking in the area and knowing he had a Marion County warrant for his arrest and stopped him.

Prather says Merideth told the officer he had a gun on him but before the officer could secure the weapon and cuff him, Merideth fled on foot.

In the 300 block of West 15th, the officer reported the subject turned with his gun out and fired four rounds at the officer.

Area officers sped to the scene and Merideth was ultimately taken into custody after multiple officers had drawn their weapons on him.

Currently on parole for a 2016 conviction out of Marion County for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Merideth was quickly transported to the Clinton County Jail as an investigation began into the incident.

As officers combed the area for evidence, one house and a vehicle were found to have apparently been struck by gunfire. There were no injuries reported.

He’s scheduled to appear on the new charges Wednesday for a preliminary hearing and first appearance with his court-appointed attorney.