Shots Fired At Ohio Wildlife Officers

[Murie51]

ORIGINAL: 69Viking

Something doesn't make sense about this story. Were they really shooting at the cruiser or something else in the field and then realized they hit a cruiser accidently and fled when he turned on his lights? Just doesn't make sense, if they determined they indeed were shooting at the cruiser there is no way they let them go. Wow, hard to believe.

It couldn't have been an accident.  The story said the men shined their headlights on the officers car and then opened fire.  There is no way they did not see the officers car if their headlights were on the car.  My first thought was that it was the landowner that could have thought he was shooting at would be poachers.  But even then you don't let someone go the next day that just tried to kill another person.  I come from a long line of law enforcement officers in all capacities, and this just blows my mind. 

[FFKEVIN]

Champaign County Prosecutor Nick A. Selvaggio announces the filing of criminal charges in the Champaign County Municipal Court against three men responsible for the Friday, October 30, 2009 shooting that struck an Ohio Department of Natural Resources motor vehicle conducting stationary surveillance on private property.

Todd M. Noel, 34, 3875 U.S. St. Rt. 36 West, Urbana, Ohio 43078 was charged with Improperly Discharging a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree; Hunting without Permission, a misdemeanor of the third degree; Prohibiting Injuring Persons or Property While Hunting, a misdemeanor of the first degree; and Prohibiting Jacklighting, a misdemeanor of the third degree.

Jesse W. Coffey, 37, 124 East Plum Street, St. Paris, Ohio 43072 was charged with Complicity to Improperly Discharging a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree; Failure to Comply with Order or Signal of Police Officer, a felony of the fourth degree; Hunting without Permission, a misdemeanor of the third degree; and Prohibiting Jacklighting, a misdemeanor of the third degree.

Jacob E. Shepherd, 18, 202 Southern Blvd., Somerset, KY 42501 was charged with Complicity to Improperly Discharging a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree; Hunting without Permission, a misdemeanor of the third degree; and Complicity to Prohibiting Jacklighting, a misdemeanor of the third degree.

"At the time of the incident, these men were placed in custody for investigative purposes only. They were released and not charged because further examination of the evidence was needed. Once the analysis was completed, the decision was made to arrest the three men, charge them and take them into custody. The gravity of the incident and the upcoming scheduling of deer gun season were factors in our decision-making. The men are currently in the Tri-County Jail and are scheduled for arraignment in the Municipal Court on Monday, November 23rd at 8:30 a.m.," said Prosecutor Nick A. Selvaggio.

"These criminal offenses involve felony firearm offenses and ODNR hunting-related misdemeanor offenses. Should the men seek bond while awaiting trial, we will ask the Municipal Court Judge to condition any bond release on four factors: (1) a court-imposed prohibition against hunting, (2) the surrender of any lawfully possessed hunting license, (3) the surrender to ODNR personnel of any firearms in their possession and (4) a curfew during nighttime hours," said Prosecutor Nick Selvaggio.

Investigators from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio State Highway Patrol jointly assisted Prosecutor Selvaggio in evaluating the evidence and determining what charges should be filed at this stage in the case.

Prosecutor Selvaggio and the member investigative agencies decline the request to comment on information pertaining to the specific facts that led to the formulation of charges.