Halloween prank leads to shooting

[Camel]

Halloween prank leads to shooting


Associated Press
November 2, 2003


CEDAR LAKE, Ind. -- An off-duty police officer who dressed up as an ax-wielding man in what he intended to be a Halloween prank was shot and wounded by a man who believed he posed a threat, investigators said.

The shooter fired at Rick Conoway as the St. John police officer emerged from a wooded area and approached a Halloween night bonfire party outside a home, Lake County Sheriff's spokesman Michael Higgins said.

Conoway was taken to a local hospital, where he was listed in stable condition with two gunshot wounds to the face.

Sheriff's authorities, who were still investigating the shooting today, gave this account:

Daniel Frederick, of Cedar Lake, arrived at the party and was told by people there that police were looking for a man in a gray sweathshirt who was wearing a white mask and carrying an ax. They also said he had been seen running after children in the neighborhood.

Frederick then returned to his nearby home and picked up a .32 caliber handgun. An hour later, he returned to the party with the gun.

Partygoers heard dogs barking and saw a man in the woods matching the description of the supposed ax-wielding man, who was actually Conoway playing a joke at the party.

Frederick yelled at the man that he had a gun, and then fired two rounds into the ground as Conoway approached the partygoers.

When Conoway continued approaching and got to within 10 feet, Frederick shot him twice in the face, investigators said.

I cant believe someone trusts that moron with a gun and a badge.

Rule #5: When the guns come out the joke is over.

 

[Devonai]

Two rounds into the deck and he keeps coming? And there was a clear verbal warning as well?

Conoway must have thought that Frederick was in on the joke, but as soon as live rounds started flying he should have figured it out.

Nine years ago I jumped out at a group of people with a super-soaker and a ninja mask. I just about got the tar kicked out of me. That was the end of my pranking days.

 

[Dr.Who]

A warning and two shots into the ground prior to shooting the guy...

The joke must of effected his hearing!!! Stupid is what Stupid does...

The cop is lucky to be alive!

Based on the above account, it appears a justified shooting, if the shooter has the permit for the gun....

 

[BluesBear]

Daniel Frederick, of Cedar Lake, arrived at the party and was told by people there that police were looking for a man in a gray sweathshirt who was wearing a white mask and carrying an ax.

Hmmmmmm,
Halloween night bonfire party
Cedar Lake
White Mask
carrying an Ax

Frederick then returned to his nearby home and picked up a .32 caliber handgun. An hour later, he returned to the party with the gun.

Nearby Home
returned an hour later


Anyone else wonder if there was any alcohol involved?

 

[BogBabe]

If any of the anti-self-defense crowd should start crowing that "It was Halloween, Frederick should have known it was a prank," we can kindly refer them to this story, which demonstrates that a costumed figure on Halloween cannot be assumed to be harmless.

 

[El Tejon]

Yeah, good idea to pull a silly prank like this in Indiana where everyone and his brother has a gun. Capital idea, Chief Wiggum.

 

[semf]

If you're gonna be dumb you better be tough

 

[Matt1911]

this is not intend as a general cop bashing post,but,the clowns in both Saint John and Ceader Lake,have been power trip happy idiots for the last 40 years that i know of!!
Am i surprised this happened?The only surprise is that more people(including the little kiddies out that night)weren't hurt!!!
We have some very fine cops around here,but they all seem to be state police.The "local yocals"are the scaryist "people" i've ever met,that includes the "bad ??? bikers"(Invaders?)club that has been a "problem" for ever!!
Thank god i'm rural,and have the county/state police!!

 

[TonyB]

I don't care if it is a joke.....when someone says stop and shoots 2 rounds in the ground DROP THE AX.......never bring a "knife" to a gun fight......bad joke ends badly....a shame all around

 

[Horsesense]

I just got one word to say about this


MOUSEGUN

 

[CZ-100]

I just got one word to say about this


MOUSEGUN

it took two shots....

But it did stop him.

A two shot stopper...

 

[Beav]

This sounds like "Scare Tactics" meets reality

 

[kernal_panic]

number #2 rule of gun fights:

make sure your caliber starts with a 4 or has the words "remington magnum" in it.

 

[Zach S]

If you're gonna be dumb you better be tough

LOL! I'm probably gonna use this in the future.

I heard about a shooting here in Asheville on halloween, didnt get any details though.