Scottdale charged for allegedly shooting at man, woman and toddler
A Scottdale man is facing attempted homicide charges after he allegedly fired shots at a man, woman and toddler.
James Lee Grimm Jr., 28, allegedly walked into the woman’s Springfield Township house and forced her into the car with him Thursday, according to an affidavit of probable cause. No serious injuries were reported.
Kristi Sezawich told police she was home alone at her Mount Tabor Road residence when she heard the front door open and close. She thought it was Derek Prinky, who lives with her, but looked up to see Grimm standing in the kitchen, she said.
She said she asked him to leave, and he refused, according to court papers, and Grimm started grabbing her belongings and putting them in the car. She said Grimm told her their 2-year-old son was in the car and she should go speak to him, police said.
Sezawich said she wanted to see the child, so she went to the car. Grimm allegedly ordered her into the car, and she refused, police alleged.
“You’re mine. You’re with me one way or another, or in a body bag,” police alleged Grimm told Sezawich.
He drove her around for about 45 minutes, according to the affidavit, and during that time she contacted Prinky and asked him to “hurry home.”
Police said she convinced Grimm to take her home, saying she needed to get her medical card. When they arrived, Sezawich said she jumped out of the car, ran into her basement and hid, according to court papers.
Sezawich reportedly told police she could hear Grimm walking around upstairs looking for her. When she heard Prinky’s truck pull into the driveway, she said she heard him say profanities and run to the front door.
She told police she ran upstairs and saw Grimm revving his engine as though he was going to run over Prinky. As Grimm was attempting to pull out of the driveway, she ran up to the car and grabbed their son, police said.
Sezawich said Grimm got out of the car and grabbed her pistol out of her holster, and confronted Prinky as the two began fighting, police said.
Prinky handed her a gun, and Sezawich said she fired it into the air and at the ground in an attempt to break up the fight, according to police. They allegedly continued to fight until she threatened to call the landlord.
She said Grimm started to leave, then got out of his vehicle and fired eight shots toward Prinky, Sezawich and the child. They took cover behind the vehicle, Grimm then left, according to court paperwork.
Police said they saw bullet holes in the vehicle, shattered glass and empty shell casings on scene.
Prinky was interviewed by police at Highland Hospital where he was treated for scratches, bruises and a bite wound that allegedly occurred during the fight. He told police Grimm fired shots at them.
Police said Grimm was arrested Thursday evening. He allegedly told them he fired shots at Sezawich and Prinky, but he said he did not know the child was with them.
Grimm was stopped by Scottdale Police Thursday evening, who allegedly found him with the pistol he was not licensed to carry.
Grimm was arraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge Michael Metros.
He is facing three counts each of criminal attempt at homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, four counts of simple assault, and one count each of robbery, unlawful restraint, endangering the welfare of children, firearm carried without a license, terroristic threats, criminal mischief and trespass, according to court documents.
He is lodged in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $200,000 bond.