Man Gets 10 Years for Shooting at Business, Ramming Home

GILMER — A Gladewater man has been sentenced in Upshur County to 10 years in prison for shooting at a business and later ramming his vehicle into the owner’s home. According to KETK, a probable cause arrest warrant shows that on August 1, 2014, John Black, Jr., 54, drove his vehicle into a home on the 1400 block of East Lake in Gladewater. While officers were en route, they learned the suspect had left the home on foot and was walking back to his house on the 1800 block of Cannon. Officials had also learned on a previous date, Black had talked about committing suicide and mentioned he would take as many officers with him as possible.

Upon arrival at the scene, an officer located Black and pulled his firearm. He then ordered Black to lie face down on the ground in front of his patrol car. Once the officer determined Black was not armed, he holstered his gun and approached the man. The suspect was then taken into custody and placed into the car. Black also smelled of alcohol at the time, according to the report. He later failed a sobriety test during booking at the Gladewater Jail.

Authorities charged Black with criminal mischief greater than or equal to $20,000, deadly conduct/discharge firearm, and driving while intoxicated. The Gladewater Mirror reported Black shot at the homeowner’s business before ramming the home. He committed the crimes because he had “bias or prejudice” toward the homeowner, according to the Mirror’s report. No injuries were reported.