A Clinton police officer is injured after a registered sex offender ran from him, fired shots at him, and then fought back as the officer was trying to apprehend him.

Clinton officials said the officer was trying to stop Jerry “Poco” McAlister, 45, for a traffic violation on I-20 on Wednesday evening when the suspect ran, and then began shooting at him.

McAlister fled to the Woody Drive area of Jackson, where he got out of his car and attepmted to run on foot. He and the officer got into a fight and the officer’s knee was injured, but he is expected to make a full recovery.

McAlister ran from there, but a woman who was his passenger was taken into custody. His gun was recovered, and he was finally arrested on Fleetwood Drive in Jackson.

The suspect has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of a firearm by a felon, and fleeing a traffic stop. Police say other charges are possible.

McAlister was convicted in 2004 of rape and carnal knowledge of a child under 14. His entry in the sex offender registry says his most recent address as of June 1 is “homeless.” Other records show him as being from Braxton.