| | Altoona gun battleNovember 23, 2008 - Mark LeberfingerJust days after a FBI agent was killed serving a warrant near Pittsburgh, Altoona police were involved in a shootout with a fleeing suspect following a vehicle stop early Saturday. The suspect, John Ray, 36, formerly of Philadelphia, was taken to Altoona Regional Trauma Center for treatment of gunshot wounds. No officers were wounded. It appears police were justified to return fire on Ray, who shot first, state police at Hollidaysburg said. The investigation continued Sunday. Ray, a reputed Megan's Law violator, faces numerous charges including attempted homicide. If his luck wasn't bad enough, Ray may be one of the first in Pennsylvania to be tried under a new law. Gov. Ed Rendell recently signed a law which requires judges to impose a mandatory minimum 20-year sentence for those convicted of shooting or shooting at a law enforcement officer. In signing House Bill 1845 into law, Rendell said that from 2002 to 2007, the number of assaults of law enforcement officers with firearms in Pennsylvania increased by 82 percent. Nationally, the number was far less, just 13 percent. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Wednesday in Altoona Central Court but it may not occur. It would depend on Ray's condition. Stay tuned. Article Comments(3)SisJ77Dec-22-08 9:27 PM Well, Dallis maybe you are right. I believe I let my feelings get the best of me and could have worded it differently. But your judging me so how is that different. Thank you for your prayers but if its not too much could you also pray for the people that this man has hurt in his life. And I do still feel this was Gods intervention. All of it even your comment. I am sorry if I offened you but the thought it all was just to much me. dallisNov-27-08 4:17 AM Dear SisJ77, I just have one question for you. Do you honestly believe that the wrath of your tongue is not as sinful as what Mr. Ray is accused of? You speak of God, yet you condemn his child. I will pray God's mercy for both of you. SisJ77Nov-24-08 4:37 PM I just have one question. Why is it that this thing was walking the streets after his rap sheet he should have been in jail. This could have been a horrible day for those officers family and friends. Thanks to Gods intervention it was not. But that does not explain why he wasnt already in prison. How someone only gets 69 months in jail for his first crimes????? I cant wrap my head around this. This was too close. I hope he burns in hell. I am sure hes not sorry nor will he ever be but these officers will now have to live the rest of there lives with all this. How dare he try to be God and look at these officers and try to murder them. It sickens me. Post a Comment | |
