DURHAM — Durham Chief Magistrate Donald Paschall stood by a $7.8 million bail set for a man connected to a traffic stop that led to an exchange of gunfire with police Wednesday afternoon.

Gerald Eugene Walker, 44, was arrested after the incident, and police are still looking for another suspect.

Walker was charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, possession of a firearm by a felon and resisting arrest in the Wednesday incident.

Police also served warrants charging him with first-degree sex offense with a child under the age of 13 in 2010 and attempted larceny, two counts of felony conspiracy and one count of felony larceny from 2011.

Court records indicate Walker has 24 prior convictions, including three for violent crimes.

The majority of Walker’s bail, $7 million, related to the charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and resisting arrest, according to court documents.

“We have set them higher than that,” Paschall said. “That is among the highest.”

The highest bail is actually no bail, which is often used in cases in which the defendant faces a possible death penalty.

On Thursday morning, Walker had his first appearance before District Court Judge Nancy Gordon, who let his bail amount stand, Paschall said.

Bridges: 919-564-9330