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Inset: Michael Ward (Allen County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The area of Stophlet Street and College Street in Fort Wayne, Ind., where Michael Ward opened fire on his pregnant girlfriend (Google Maps).
An Indiana resident has confessed to firing an AR-style rifle at an Uber carrying his pregnant girlfriend. This incident occurred after she attempted to leave following a heated argument.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by The Journal Gazette, Michael Ward reportedly threatened his girlfriend by saying, “I’m going to get my gun and cash out,” shortly before the shooting on April 17, just before 8:55 a.m.
Authorities have charged Ward with attempted murder and gun offenses, interpreting his statement as a threat to her life. He allegedly fired at the Uber she had summoned to escape following their dispute.
In a recent development, Ward has accepted a plea deal that reduces his charges to criminal recklessness. Should the court approve this agreement, he could face a prison sentence of up to six years, as reported by the Gazette.
The affidavit details that Ward fired approximately three rounds at the vehicle, shattering the rear window and puncturing the rear passenger-side tire. Investigators found three shell casings at the scene of the shooting.
Ward was accused of pointing his AR-style rifle at both his girlfriend and the Uber driver, who was in a Jeep Wrangler, before opening fire. Ward was sitting in a Buick LeSabre when the Uber pulled up and got out to retrieve his weapon before he started blasting, according to police.
The alleged death threat that Ward hurled at his pregnant partner came several hours before the shooting while they were arguing over an undisclosed matter. “Fine, then,” he told the woman before threatening her, according to the affidavit.
Ward’s girlfriend said she had been in a relationship with him for one year and he was aware that she was carrying a child. She was described in the affidavit as being fearful and afraid of Ward, who has a previous battery conviction stemming from an incident two years ago with another individual, the Gazette reports.
Ward has been ordered to stay away from his girlfriend as part of his plea deal. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 4.
