Man Who Shot at Cops ID’d, Facing Attempted Murder Charges: Police

North Penn Now Staff•

Upper Gwynedd Township Police have announced the arrest of a male suspect who allegedly fired a shotgun at officers in the area of Cathys Lane on Sunday afternoon.

Randy Root, 35, of Warrington, has been charged with multiple felonies including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, prohibited possession of a firearm, burglary, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal trespassing, as well as misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment, possession of an instrument of crime and simple assault, in connection with the Aug. 23 incident.

Police were initially dispatched to the area of East Prospect Avenue and Hancock Road shortly after noon on Aug. 23 for a report of a suspicious man roaming in the area. The suspect — later identified as Root — was reportedly asking residents for water and was observed drinking out of nearby water hoses, police said.

When police initially approached Root, he was able to flee from the scene. Police again encountered Root about 45 minutes later, but Root was able to evade them, police said.

Police located Root a third time in the area of Cathys Lane and Marilyns Lane, as which point Root emerged from behind a home on Cathys Lane, began yelling at one of the responding police officers and fired one shot from a shotgun.

Upper Gwynedd Township Police Chief David Duffy said the shot, which was fired at a distance of about 10 yards (30 feet), missed the officer, and Root was subsequently taken into custody. The shotgun, as well as a rifle, were recovered from the area, Duffy said.

Root was taken from the scene to Lansdale Hospital, where he received treatment for detoxing from methamphetamine, Duffy said. He was arraigned on Monday, and is currently being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,000,000 bail.

His next court appearance is a preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge Suzan Leonard on Sept. 3 at 1:30 p.m.

(All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.)

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