Teen Wanted in Gay Bar Rampage Is Caught
By NOAH TRISTER, Associated Press Writer
1 hour ago
This photo released by the New Bedford, Mass. Police ...
GASSVILLE, Ark. - A teenager suspected of a hatchet-and-gun attack in a Massachusetts gay bar shot and killed a small-town police officer and the teen's passenger before he was critically wounded in a gun battle with police Saturday, authorities said.
Jacob D. Robida, 18, was shot twice in the head, and "it doesn't look good right now," said Massachusetts prosecutor Paul Walsh Jr.
Walsh said the teen shot Officer Jim Sell, 56, twice during a traffic stop in this northern Arkansas town.
About 25 miles away, Robida sped over spike strips set out by state troopers but continued to drive with two punctured tires into downtown Norfork. Robida's car then careened into several parked vehicles to avoid a police barricade.
"When he wrecked he started firing at our officer and a state police officer, and the officers returned fire," said Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery.
The teen shot the woman in the car with him before he was wounded in the shootout with police, Walsh said. State police wouldn't confirm Walsh's account and said ballistics tests would determine how the woman died.
His passenger was Jennifer Rena Bailey, 33, of Charleston, W.Va., the West Virginia State Police said.
"Apparently she's had a prior relationship with this guy and had been corresponding with him," said state police Sgt. C.J. Ellyson.
Robida had apparently picked Bailey up at her home, Ellyson said.
After being shot, Robida was taken to a Springfield, Mo., hospital, according to Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler.
Maryann Hoyne, the manager of the Brass Door Motel in Gassville, said she saw the police officer's squad car and Robida's green car bumper to bumper and heard three gunshots. She saw Sell on the ground and Robida get back into his car and drive off.
Hoyne, 67, said the man returned a moment later to retrieve his gun, which he had left at the side of the officer.
Investigators had searched for Robida since Thursday's attack at Puzzles Lounge in New Bedford, Mass., that left three men wounded, one critically.
The hatchet used in the attack was found outside the bar, but detectives believed Robida still had the gun.
Police have labeled the incident a hate crime and said Robida would be charged with attempted murder, assault and civil rights violations.
One victim, who had a black eye, a five-inch gash on his right cheek and a bullet hole in his back, was released from the hospital Friday. Another victim remained hospitalized, and officials would not disclose the location of the third.
Robida was a high school dropout who friends say glorified Naziism but never expressed any specific prejudice against gays.
"This is insane," said Heather Volton, 22, of Fall River, Mass., who had known Robida for more than a year. "That kid never so much as raised his voice at me ... This is all pretty much a shock to me, like everyone else."
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By NOAH TRISTER, Associated Press Writer
1 hour ago
This photo released by the New Bedford, Mass. Police ...
GASSVILLE, Ark. - A teenager suspected of a hatchet-and-gun attack in a Massachusetts gay bar shot and killed a small-town police officer and the teen's passenger before he was critically wounded in a gun battle with police Saturday, authorities said.
Jacob D. Robida, 18, was shot twice in the head, and "it doesn't look good right now," said Massachusetts prosecutor Paul Walsh Jr.
Walsh said the teen shot Officer Jim Sell, 56, twice during a traffic stop in this northern Arkansas town.
About 25 miles away, Robida sped over spike strips set out by state troopers but continued to drive with two punctured tires into downtown Norfork. Robida's car then careened into several parked vehicles to avoid a police barricade.
"When he wrecked he started firing at our officer and a state police officer, and the officers returned fire," said Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery.
The teen shot the woman in the car with him before he was wounded in the shootout with police, Walsh said. State police wouldn't confirm Walsh's account and said ballistics tests would determine how the woman died.
His passenger was Jennifer Rena Bailey, 33, of Charleston, W.Va., the West Virginia State Police said.
"Apparently she's had a prior relationship with this guy and had been corresponding with him," said state police Sgt. C.J. Ellyson.
Robida had apparently picked Bailey up at her home, Ellyson said.
After being shot, Robida was taken to a Springfield, Mo., hospital, according to Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler.
Maryann Hoyne, the manager of the Brass Door Motel in Gassville, said she saw the police officer's squad car and Robida's green car bumper to bumper and heard three gunshots. She saw Sell on the ground and Robida get back into his car and drive off.
Hoyne, 67, said the man returned a moment later to retrieve his gun, which he had left at the side of the officer.
Investigators had searched for Robida since Thursday's attack at Puzzles Lounge in New Bedford, Mass., that left three men wounded, one critically.
The hatchet used in the attack was found outside the bar, but detectives believed Robida still had the gun.
Police have labeled the incident a hate crime and said Robida would be charged with attempted murder, assault and civil rights violations.
One victim, who had a black eye, a five-inch gash on his right cheek and a bullet hole in his back, was released from the hospital Friday. Another victim remained hospitalized, and officials would not disclose the location of the third.
Robida was a high school dropout who friends say glorified Naziism but never expressed any specific prejudice against gays.
"This is insane," said Heather Volton, 22, of Fall River, Mass., who had known Robida for more than a year. "That kid never so much as raised his voice at me ... This is all pretty much a shock to me, like everyone else."
LINK