ROGUE GUNMAN KILLS OFFICER

A mass shooting spree takes the life of an on duty police officer and a gunman.
Shortly before sunset Bradley Thomas Arn responded to urgent calls about a gunman shooting randomly into the dark at people. At least 7 bullets riddled his car as he arrived on the scene. One bullet entered the back of Arn’s head. It killed him instantly. Less than a minute afterwards officers arrived on the scene.
The shooter started at 22nd/and Fredrick Streets, before he turned south towards Calvary Church. A total of four people were hit directly by bullets. One man was hit in his head by flying glass.
A police officer, whose name will not be released, fired a fatal shot at the shooter.
A passenger in the car behind Arn, Norma Guthrie, said that she, her daughter, and her boyfriend, George McGee, were driving behind Arn when they saw the shooter. They pulled up beside the officer so that George could try and tell him where the shooter was. Almost immediately their van was riddled with bullets. When everything cleared Norma said that she sat up and saw Arn slump over in his seat. “We heard gun shots, we ducked down. The police officer tried to get away and got hurt pretty bad. It busted our van window out and [the glass] got my boyfriend, George McGee,” a choked up Norma said.
Scared and teary eyed witnesses said that the shooter was running around randomly shooting at people and wore camouflage and had a Mohawk haircut.
Sarah Johnson was terrified and confused as she watched the scene from her kitchen window. “It sounded as if he was chanting some kind of religious incantation.” She said. “Then he hid behind a tree by the church and exchanged shots with the cops. After a couple second his head snapped back and he fell to the ground. It seemed to happen in slow motion.”
Police later said that the gunman’s pockets and backpack were overflowing with ammunition and he had a shotgun strapped to his back, along with a knife attached to his belt.
In the cross fire Jack Martin, Valerie Sharp, and Kenny Cordonier were shot and wounded.
Martin is 56 and was the worst off, receiving bullets to his chest, abdomen, and forearm. He is at the Harlem Regional Medical Center receiving extensive surgery. Doctor Kim Regal said that he will live, but will be in the hospital for a few days.
Valerie Sharp is a 28 year old elementary teacher and had shrapnel pierce her eye. She has been treated and released from the medical center.
Cordonier, an off duty fireman, was grazed on his arm and drove himself to the hospital. He, too, has been treated and released.
A resident of St. Joseph, Michael James, said, “I moved here because it was supposed to be safe. I never thought something like this could happen.”
“Officers are shocked to say the least. Having been through this before you go through the shock, you don’t believe it. It happens to other police departments, not us. In the 23 years I have been on the force, this is the first officer to die from a gunshot wound.” Commander Mike Turner said. Officials say that the last officer killed in the line of duty was in 1991, he was hit by a runaway car.
Turner pointed out that his men and women are trained for such an event and will pull through this ordeal.
Arn is survived by his wife and twin daughters. Details concerning funeral arrangements have not yet been decided on.
Another major press conference will be held tomorrow morning at 10a.m.

BLACK DERBY LIQUOR STORE ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

At 7:12 p.m., just as the sun began to lower behind the trees, Steve Bellinos feared for his life for the first time, as a man robbed the Black Derby Liquor Store at 2311 Ripley Way. The owner of the store, Ralph Martinson, said about $2,845 was taken.
The man entered the store and took out a pistol. Then he demanded that the clerk empty the contents of the cash register into a pillowcase.
Fearing for his life, Bellinos did as the gunman demanded. As he opened the register he triggered the silent alarm. He hoped that the police would arrive soon.
Police officers Anne Fulgham and Jose Lopez arrived on the scene at 7:19 p.m., just as the gunman was leaving the store.
The officers got slowly out of their car. “We were hoping that he wouldn’t notice us first off. That way we could get to him before he bolted.” Officer Lopez said.
When he saw the police car, he took off running into an alley, police said.
Officer Fulgham immediately shouted a warning at the gunman. When he didn’t respond she fired a shot at him and missed, according to the police.
The officers took off running after the gunman and after a long chase he finally got away. Officer Fulgham said that it was as if he had disappeared into thin air.
Area resident, John Paul Reinicke, 35, was walking down Ripley Way when the crime took place. "The officers did a great job,” he said, “The guy ran so fast he looked like a track star.”
Police Chief Antonio said that right now there is no way to tell who or where the gunman is.
“The worst part is, is that as long as nobody comes forward with some information, all we can do is wait until another robbery occurs. But at this point the possibility of another robbery doesn’t seem likely. This is the first robbery in Springfield for as long as I can remember.” Chief Antonio said.

OBITUARY

Ronald H. Lache died Monday in his home in Springfield, Pennsylvania, at the age of 73, from lung cancer.
His wife, the former Delores Carney, died March 7 of this year.
Lache was a retired Lt. Col. in the United States Air Force.
Services will begin at 2p.m., on Friday at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery-Graveside, Springfield, PA.
Friends may visit the family on Wednesday at Parker Funeral Services on 606 Washington Ave, beginning at 7p.m.
Born Nov. 3, 1943, in Philadelphia, PA, to Harry and Thelma Curry Lache, Ronald Lache was a member of the Newman Center and the Rock Bridge Lions Club.
While in the service he was referred to as the Big Brother and was known for the care he gave his men and the strict respect he gave to women and children, his oldest friend, John Gary, said.
"Nobody can remember him ever raising his voice, but he always commanded awe." A proud Cynthia Lache said. “Ronald was an amazing man. He always took care of me and never complained. He was a wonderful father and will be missed by all that knew him." Thelma Curry Lache said.
Lache is survived by his mother, Thelma Lache of Springfield; his son, Ronald Lache of Springfield; three daughters -- Barbara Ann peck of Dayton, Ohio, Patrice Luis Wylie of Indianapolis, Ind., Cynthia Lache of San Mateo, Calif.; One granddaughter, Jennifer C. Peck, Springfield.