Man Charged In Shooting That Led To Crash
NBC 4
UPDATE: CPD charges the suspect in the Monday shooting of a man who crashed into the yards of homes on Harris Avenue.
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Columbus police charged the suspect in the shooting of a man who crashed his pickup truck into a West Side yard Monday.
NBC 4’s Tom Brockman reported with the FAST FACTS.
Police arrested 27-year-old Michael A. Wright Tuesday for the alleged shooting of his associate, Michael Dray.
The shooting stemmed from an incident that occurred the day prior to the shooting, police said.
A woman called CPD after 11 a.m. Monday and reported a black Ford pickup truck or SUV was driven into her yard in the 100 block of Harris Avenue.
She said her husband found the driver slumped in the seat and with a gunshot wound.
Columbus police later identified 28-year-old Dray as the victim.
CPD said Dray was driving a family member’s vehicle and was stopped on Steele Avenue east of Hague Avenue.
Wright was allegedly observed talking to Dray from outside the vehicle, CPD said.
When Wright allegedly shot Dray, he inadvertently accelerated the vehicle, striking a fence at 181 N. Harris Ave. then coming to rest after traveling through another fence at 178 N. Harris Ave.
Residents there called for police and medical assistance.
Dray was transported to Mount Carmel West Medical Center in critical condition with a gunshot wound to his head. His condition was reportedly improving, though he remained in the ICU Wednesday afternoon.
Wright was charged with attempted murder and felonious assault, CPD said.
Witnesses told NBC 4 they heard gunshots and saw the pickup truck drive through several yards.
Columbus City Schools’ West Broad Street Elementary, at 2744 W. Broad St., went into a precautionary lockdown during the incident. No schools remained on lockdown at 12:30 p.m.
Reports indicated a suspect with a shotgun carjacked a gold Ford Explorer in the area at about the same time. CPD Sgt. Rich Weiner said CPD doesn’t think the nearby carjacking was related to the shooting.
Anyone with further any information regarding this shooting is asked to call the homicide squad at 614-645-4730.
INTERACTIVE MAP
View HARRIS AVE SHOOTING in a larger map
For additional information on this developing story, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail
.
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Thank you kat I appreciate you getting back to me. I was afraid of that…my thoughts and prayers are with Mike and his family. If there is anything I can do please just let me know.
yes it is the Mike that went to Finland and Frankling heights.
I hope him a speedy recovery
I grew up with a Mike Dray, who at one time was like a brother to me. I have not spoke to him in a very long time. I am hoping that this is not the same Mike that I know, however I am very concerned that it is:( I was hoping that someone could please help me figure out if this is my old friend…thank you very much.
so true, kt. no one is a saint. im just glad they caught the guy.
It’s so sad that it happend to him. I know that we and anyone who knows him will know that this is karma no one ever said he was a saint . but it’s still sad ;(
Also, I would like to say I doubt this is a gang related problem. Perhaps drug abuse or maybe just a simple case of robbing. Michael is so kind hearted that if anyone asked him for directions, anything, he would stop and try to help. Please dont assume that he is associated with anyone of the sort. It takes a real heartless person to be in a gang and Michael is far from that. Instead of guessing that it might have been about. Lets look at facts and hope the City of Columbus does their job and finds the horrible cold hearted person that would do this to a great person.
Michael Dray is a good friend of mine, a great guy, willing to help anyone. I sincerely hope anyone with information regarding this case steps forward and does the right thing. No matter the circumstances no one should ever be physically harmed. My thoughts and prayers are with Michael and I look forward to him healing from the tragic wounds and having a positive outlook on life even after something so horrible. I love you Dray!
kazgirl first I would like to say how sorry I am for what has happened to your loved one. I was just wondering if this is the same Mike Dray who attended Finland Middle/Franklin Heights and grew up on the westside clime road area? Thank you.
First of all… I want to start out by saying this has hit way to close to home for me! This man I have known all his life and has been like my nephew. He is married, has children and has family that loves him! Does that not mean anything???
I just don’t understand why our society is the this way and has gotten to be so bad. I mean there is so many people that have no respect for life or anybody else’s life. It’s like they just don’t care about anything or anybody anymore.
What has happened to respecting each other and life itself???
It’s so sad that it has gotten and is this way. I mean taking each others life is not the answer, it effects so many peoples lives, I just don’t think people think about things and what the out come of things are going to be.
There is so much anger and hate, why??? Life is not that bad!
Your suppose to make it the best you can and be happy and be happy for others. What happened to being there for each other?
I guess I just don’t get it and I won’t ever understand that something can be that bad to take or try to take another persons life!
The only problem you have is.. when getting involved with Gangs is that if you go against them as a single person they will come to get you and even kill you. Now as a group.. you can take out the whole gang… about like waiting till all the wasp are in their nest and then Bug spray the whole nest at one time….
Advertisement