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Caller Who Reported Man with Gun at Wal-Mart May Be Charged
By: Associated Press
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FAIRBORN, Ohio (AP) – A 911 caller who reported a man waving a gun in an Ohio Wal-Mart before police fatally shot him could face a charge of making a false alarm. The man actually was toting an air rifle he picked up from a shelf.
Fairborn Municipal Court Judge Beth Root found probable cause for misdemeanor prosecution.
The judge made the ruling after reviewing affidavits submitted by Greene County residents. Root wrote that the case should be referred to the prosecutor.
John Crawford III was shot Aug. 5 in the Dayton suburb of Beavercreek. Police said they believed the 22-year-old had a real rifle and he didn’t respond to commands to put it down.
A call seeking comment from Fairborn’s city prosecutor wasn’t immediately returned Thursday.