Oak Ridge Today

Report: Man fires gun into ground during parking dispute

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Justin Kane Hornung

Justin Kane Hornung

An Oak Ridge man who allegedly fired a gun into the ground during a parking disturbance on Tucker Road on January 18 has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault.

Justin Kane Hornung, 37, told Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Christopher W. Wallace that he did not have space to park his vehicle on Tucker Road when he came home because guests of a neighbor had filled the on-street parking spaces, according to warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court.

A discussion between Hornung and his neighbor about the parking situation reportedly escalated into a disturbance, and the victim allegedly told Hornung he was going to “kick his (expletive)” and yelled other obscenities, according to the warrants. [Read more…]

Police standoff that starts with report of gun, disturbance ends peacefully

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Jellico Lane Standoff Police

The Oak Ridge Police Department responds to a Monday morning standoff on Jellico Lane that started with a report of a disturbance and a gun.

 

Woman taken into custody after four hours

Note: This story was updated at 4:07 p.m.

A four-hour standoff between the Oak Ridge Police Department and a Jellico Lane resident that started with a report of a disturbance and a gun ended peacefully Monday morning.

The standoff started at about 6:48 a.m. at 123 Jellico Lane, the ORPD said. Initial reports said a firearm was displayed during the neighborhood dispute, according to ORPD Chief Jim Akagi and Lt. John Kelly. Many officers responded, including several from the department’s Crisis Intervention Team, and tactical personnel were called in to help secure the scene, Kelly said.

A CIT officer trained in crisis negotiation was able to talk to the resident, Patsy Oliver, 62, and she was taken into custody at about 10:41 a.m. Oliver was taken to Methodist Medical Center for treatment of an unrelated laceration on her hand and further evaluation, the ORPD said in a Monday afternoon press release.

“Charges against Ms. Oliver are forthcoming,” the press release said. “No further details will be released at this time.” [Read more…]

Stolen, loaded gun seized from student’s car at ORHS; knife seized in separate incident

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Oak Ridge High School

Oak Ridge High School is pictured above.

A stolen, loaded .357 magnum revolver was seized from the car of a student who had been causing a disturbance at Oak Ridge High School on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Police officers also found marijuana packaged for resale and suspected drug money exceeding $950 in the car of the unidentified 17-year-old male, who was arrested and taken to Juvenile Court in Clinton, the Oak Ridge Police Department said.

In a separate incident earlier Wednesday afternoon, a folding stainless steel knife was seized from a male high school student during an altercation on a school bus.

Police were investigating that incident, reported to have occurred at about 2:47 p.m. Wednesday, when ORPD School Resource Officer Sherrill Selby was sent to the high school in response to a juvenile student causing a disturbance during a disciplinary meeting with high school staff. Selby and the staff learned that the boy could be armed or have a weapon in his car. Selby detained him in the disciplinary hearing and called for backup. [Read more…]

Report: Y-12 security officer likely pulled the trigger on weapon that fired

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Y-12 National Security Complex Sign

An investigation has concluded that a security officer at the Y-12 National Security Complex probably inadvertently pulled the trigger when a weapon fired inside a “hardened” vehicle in July, discharging one round and slightly injuring two guards.

An investigation has concluded that a security officer at the Y-12 National Security Complex probably inadvertently pulled the trigger when a weapon fired inside a “hardened” vehicle in July, discharging one round that hit an interior wall and produced fragments, and slightly injuring two guards.

The accidental discharge occurred just after midnight on July 28, which, coincidentally, was the one-year anniversary of the July 28, 2012, security breach at Y-12.

The National Nuclear Security Administration said little after the accidental discharge. But the agency did acknowledge that two security police officers, or SPOs, received minor injuries and were treated at Y-12 before being taken to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, where they were treated and released. The NNSA also said the incident was under investigation.

Now, officials have concluded a four-month investigation, and B&W Y-12, the plant’s managing and operating contractor, has released a summary of the findings. [Read more…]

One pleads, one backs out of deal in 2011 robbery, murder

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Information from WYSH Radio

One man pleaded guilty to reduced charges in an August 2011 robbery that ended with one man being shot dead while his brother—the accused gunman—backed out of a plea deal and will stand trial next year.

On Wednesday, James Brooms, 24, entered a best-interest plea to facilitation to commit second-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. [Read more…]

AC EMS doesn’t carry most medications found during search of doctor’s home, director says

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Michael Lapaglia

Michael A. Lapaglia

Its former medical director was arrested Tuesday on drug and gun charges, and Anderson County Emergency Medical Services issued a statement on Wednesday that said most of the medications allegedly found in the home of Dr. Michael A. LaPaglia are not carried by the ambulance service.

The statement also said that the Anderson County EMS medical director is never allowed or provided access to any controlled equipment, supplies, or medications.

“Anderson County EMS has a very solid and concise procedure for controlled substances, with many levels of reporting and accountability,” Director Nathan Sweet said. [Read more…]

Neighbors respond to alleged knife attack with gun, videotape, but no suspect found

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Kayla Pesterfield

Kayla Pesterfield

An Oak Ridge woman who alleged she was attacked and cut with a knife by an unknown man in her home on Tuesday afternoon was charged with false reporting after police checked the Beverly Circle property and reviewed a neighbor’s videotape, which showed no man had entered or left the residence, authorities said.

Kayla Pesterfield, 21, reported the alleged assault at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. She said the stranger was in her bedroom and attacked her by pushing her up against a wall. The man then cut her right thigh and the front of her shorts with a knife, Pesterfield told police, according to an arrest warrant.  [Read more…]

Sen. Corker also votes against Toomey-Manchin background checks

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U.S. Senator Bob Corker

Bob Corker

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican, also voted Wednesday against the bipartisan Toomey-Manchin amendment to expand background checks for potential gun purchasers.

Like U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, Corker said he supported what is known as the Grassley amendment.

“Like most Americans, I want to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and dangerous mentally ill people,” Corker said in a press release Wednesday evening. “Today, I supported the Grassley amendment to enhance mental health reporting requirements, which I believe is the central issue, and to improve the background check system in a way that is not an impediment to Second Amendment rights. [Read more…]

Police dog finds man’s missing gun on Robertsville soccer field

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An Oak Ridge police dog located a missing revolver in the grass on a soccer field at Robertsville Middle School early Friday morning, authorities said.

Leshawn Graham, 21, of Royce Circle in Oak Ridge, told police he had laid the gun down in the soccer field but could not find it, according to warrants filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court.

[Read more…]