JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – An Arkansas man has been charged after being shot and wounded by police this past weekend on a Jefferson County highway.

The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Jarrett W. Cousins, 40, with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

Cousins remains in critical condition at a St. Louis area hospital. Upon his discharge from the hospital, he'll be held in jail without bond.

The ordeal began late Sunday morning in Festus.

Festus Police Chief Doug Wendel said they first received word of shots fired near a White Castle on Highway A near Interstate 55 around 11:10 a.m.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office's probable cause statement, officers from Festus and the Crystal City Police Departments found Cousins' truck attempting to turn south from Highway A onto Highway 67.

Festus and Crystal City officers tracked Cousins' truck, which they say crashed into a concrete median on Highway 67 before spinning into the northbound lanes outside of an Aldi and Dollar Tree. Cousins stepped out of the truck wearing body armor and had a firearm in each hand.

Officers ordered Cousins to drop his weapons, but he refused. Court documents allege Cousins raised his arms and began shooting in an unknown direction.

Two Crystal City officers shot at Cousins, with one round striking him in the abdomen. As Cousins collapsed to the ground, court documents say he pointed a gun in the officers' direction. Police shot at Cousins again and eventually subdued him. It's unclear if Cousins was wounded in the second volley of gunfire.

Law enforcement discovered a woman’s body inside the suspect’s truck after the suspect was injured. Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak said investigators believe the woman was already dead prior to the shootout.

On Tuesday, the woman was identified as Clara B. Blaxton, 45, of northeast Arkansas. Blaxton is believed to have been in a relationship with Cousins. Court documents reveal Cousins also lives in northeast Arkansas.