JEFFERSON COUNTY — A 56-year-old Mt. Vernon man has been found mentally fit to stand trial for the alleged armed robbery and shooting at a Mt. Vernon police officer in 2021.

Fredrick Goss is charged with two Class X felonies for armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm at a police officer stemming from a June 2021 armed robbery of the Mt Vernon Huck’s Store at 1801 South 10th Street, which resulted in the exchange of gunfire with a Mt Vernon police officer.

Goss was struck in the exchange and remained in a St. Louis area hospital for several weeks while he was treated for the gunshot wound that required him to use a wheelchair during his recovery.

A jury trial in the case was underway in October 2021 when a Jefferson County corrections officer was returning Goss to the courthouse from lunch recess.

As the corrections officer was assisting Goss from the back of the squad car into his wheelchair, Goss allegedly pulled the deputy’s gun from its holster following a brief struggle.

A deputy inside the courthouse witnessed the attack on surveillance cameras and rushed downstairs where he shot Goss who had reportedly attempted to shoot the corrections officer with his own gun but missed.

Goss was again sent to a St. Louis area hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound suffered just months after the first incident and the jury in the case was dismissed.

A mental fitness examination was subsequently ordered for Goss and on Thursday the court ruled he’s mentally fit based upon the results of the report and testimony of Dr. Angeline Stanislaus.

Goss is next scheduled to appear in court on September 29 on the 2021 case.