Man arrested after shots fired at SUV

By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- No one was injured in a lunchtime shooting, but police have charged a West State Street man with attempted homicide.
Police said George Jacob Freed II, 26, fired three shoots at a passing sport utility vehicle about a block from the city police station at 11:37 a.m. Thursday.
Police said James Bailey was westbound on North Street near Cochran Way when he saw Freed and Autumn Reid attempting to cross the street. Bailey told police he slowed down to let them cross, and Freed pulled out a handgun and started shooting at Bailey.
Police Chief Tom Sansone said it's unclear why Freed shot at Bailey's vehicle. He said they don't believe it was drug-related and the two were not acquaintances.
Bailey said he immediately drove to the police station, where officers found bullet holes in his driver's-side tire, the back hatch and the side panel of the driver's door of his white 1999 Ford Explorer.
Other charges
In addition to attempted criminal homicide, Freed is charged with aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, making terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and discharging a firearm in the city limits.
Sansone said Freed is licensed to carry a gun.
According to the affidavit filed to support charges, Freed initially told police that Bailey pulled up in his vehicle and started firing shots, but police could find no evidence to support that claim. Freed then told police that Bailey had a gun but did not fire it, court papers stated. The affidavit did not list an age or address for Bailey.
Sansone said they did not find a gun on Bailey or in his car.
Police said they asked Freed for his gun and he directed them to the gravel parking area behind Majestic Paints, where they found Freed's pistol with five live rounds in it.
Freed was arraigned by District Justice David Rishel and placed in the Lawrence County Jail after failing to post $75,000 bond.
cioffi@vindy.com