$600,000 bond set for suspect in attempted murder

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A man charged with the attempted murder of a 17-year-old boy remains jailed under $600,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday before Judge Robert Milich of Youngstown Municipal Court.

On Wednesday, Richard Rice, 42, of North Lakeview Avenue, was arraigned by Judge Milich by video from Mahoning County Jail on the attempted-murder charge and on a charge of being a felon with a gun.

Rice is charged with shooting Jevan Fitzgerald, of South Main Street, about 6:50 p.m. Tuesday in front of 46 N. Lakeview Ave. after an argument.

Police found Fitzgerald at the shooting scene, sitting on the sidewalk and being treated by paramedics for neck injuries. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center in critical condition.

Witnesses said Rice left his car and cursed and threatened juveniles who were playing basketball in the street, returned to his car, retrieved a handgun, and fired, hitting Fitzgerald an undetermined number of times in his neck and shoulder.

Shortly thereafter, based on a description of the shooter’s car, police spotted, followed and stopped the car Rice was driving at Interstate 680 and Market Street, arresting Rice and finding a gun and a shell casing in the car.