Police: Man Discharges Pistol at Occupied Residence

Aggravated Assault

A New Brighton man was accused of aggravated assault following an incident in Ellwood City last week.

Prior to this, Justin M Bryant, 27, was charged with criminal mischief for an incident occurring on Feb. 25. The victim advised police that Bryant was in her apartment destroying items. Investigating officers observed a smashed girls’ play house, a damaged sweeper, a damaged bookshelf and two holes in the wall. The victim reported Byrant hadn’t hurt her today but had done so in the past.

Police confiscated a glass marijuana pipe belonging to Bryant. The defendant agreed to pay for damages and go to his aunt’s residence in New Brighton. The victim obtained a PFA. Bryant was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and a summary offense of property damage

Just four days later, on Feb. 29 around 9:45 p.m., officers responded to a report of gunshots on Division Ave. The victims reported their daughter’s boyfriend, Byrant, was supposed to pick up his belongings at their residence when an argument ensued.

The defendant followed the wife toward Pizza King until the victim stated, “Why don’t you wait for the police?”

“Oh you called the police,” Bryant said. “I am not afraid of that dog.”

Byrant then discharged five rounds from a 9 millimeter pistol toward the victim and into the residence. The husband feared his wife was dead following the shots. The defendant subsequently fled the scene.

On March 2, officers arrested Byrant and arraigned him before Magistrate Jerry Cartwright. He was charged with two felonies- aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure. He was also charged with terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault. He was placed in the Lawrence County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Terroristic Threats/Harassment

According to the criminal complaint,  on Feb. 28 an investigating officer contacted the victim who was threatened by the defendant, N’agapa Bumpus, 22, of Ellwood City, over the phone. According to the victim, Bumpus threatened to come to her home and use his new gun to “put a bullet in her head and her kid’s head”. Fearing for her and her child’s life, the victim contacted the police. Bumpus was charged with terroristic threats and harassment.

Warrant Arrest

Ellwood City officers arrested an Ellwood City woman wanted on a Beaver County warrant after encountering her on March 1. Ashley Ann Sauer, 30, had warrants for possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia following an incident on Sept. 30 in New Brighton where police confiscated a burnt spoon, two crack pipes, syringes and a substance that tested positive for heroin. Ellwood police transported Sauer to the Beaver County Jail.

DUI Accident

According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 27 an officer was dispatched to Haggerty Road to investigate a one vehicle crash. The officer observed a red Dodge Dynasty off the north part of the roadway crashed up against a tree. The driver was trapped in the driver’s seat as emergency personnel attempted to extricate him from the vehicle. According to firemen on the scene, the driver admitted to their crew that he had been drinking. The driver was identified as George Anthony Rozich III, 59, of Enon Valley. Rozich was transported to Jameson Memorial Hospital to be treated for his injuries and was tested for his BAC level. He was charged with two counts of DUI, driving on the wrong side of the road and careless driving.