Fort Worth officer shooting suspect's bond lowered

FORT WORTH, Texas - A judge agreed to lower the bond of a man facing charges in connection with the shooting of Fort Worth police officer Matt Pearce.

Ed McIver Jr.’s bond was lowered from $2 million to $17,000. He is being held on attempted capital murder, drug and weapons charges.

Last week, a grand jury declined to indict him for the shooting of Pearce. The Tarrant County District Attorney re-filed the charges.

McIver’s father, Ed McIver Sr., was killed in a shootout with Pearce, who was trying to arrest him for outstanding warrants. The younger McIver ran away from the shooting. Police found him four hours later.

Defense attorneys argued McIver is being held in jail without probable cause.

During a hearing, prosecutors introduced dash cam video from the police car behind Pearce. Officer Gordon Jones says the video shows the younger McIver jumped from the passenger side of an SUV and ran up a hill into a wooded area carrying a long rifle.

McIver was eventually captured about a mile from the shooting, under trees and shrubs he used to cover himself. A shotgun and a pistol were found a few feet away from him.

 “To have somebody run that very hilly hard terrain carrying those weapons, I would go as far to say that’s scary because, in my opinion, that shows an intent to do harm,” said Jones.

If McIver Jr. can afford to post bail, he will not be allowed near any weapons or anyone with a history of violence. He would need to follow a curfew and must wear an ankle monitor.

Prosecutors said they expect to send McIver’s case back to a new grand jury because they want McIver to be indicted and face charges.

Pearce has left the hospital but faces months of additional care and rehabilitation.