Garfield Heights man charged in connection with Fayette County shooting
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that a Garfield Heights man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting at a motorist in Jasper Township.
On Feb. 6 at approximately 5:26 p.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from a motorist traveling northbound on I-71 in Jasper Township stating that they had allegedly been shot at multiple times by an occupant in a gray SUV that was also traveling northbound. The caller stated that they had been shot at multiple times but was unsure if their vehicle had been hit.
The FCSO Communications Center maintained contact with the caller until patrol deputies could respond to the area. A deputy was able to locate the suspect vehicle on I-71 north of mile marker 75, and a traffic stop was initiated. Deputies made contact with the occupants of the vehicle, and they were later identified as Alonzo Thorpe Jr., 22, of Oakwood, and Tyreese Shamar McCollum, 26, of Garfield Heights.
A search of the suspect vehicle and the occupants produced no firearm. While speaking with the victim, they alleged that the shots were fired by the passenger, Mr. McCollum.
The investigation provided that the firearm was allegedly thrown from the vehicle as it was continuing to travel on I-71 prior to deputies conducting the traffic stop.
A wants and warrants check was conducted on both Thorpe and McCollum, and at that time it was determined that McCollum had active warrants for his arrest out of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for having weapons while under disability and felonious assault. McCollum was taken into custody and transported to the Fayette County Jail, where he was to be held without bond for the felony arrest warrants.
On the morning of Feb. 7, deputies returned to the area of I-71 North where the original traffic stop was conducted. After searching the area for any evidence connected to the alleged shooting, deputies located a 9mm pistol in the shoulder area around mile marker 75. Also located in the area was a clear plastic bag containing several rounds of 9mm ammunition. The firearm was determined to have been reported stolen out of the Garfield Heights Police Department.
Due to the reports made by the initial caller and the discovery of the allegedly stolen pistol in the area where the traffic stop was conducted, deputies have charged Tyreese S. McCollum with attempted murder, having weapons while under disability and tampering with evidence.
This investigation is ongoing, and the case will be presented to the Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office for their review.
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