JASPER TOWNSHIP, OH – A motorist traveling northbound on Interstate 71 reported being fired upon multiple times by a passing vehicle on February 6th at approximately 5:26 p.m., prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received the complaint from the victim, who stated they were unsure if their vehicle had been struck by gunfire. Dispatchers maintained contact with the caller while patrol deputies responded to the area.
A deputy soon located the suspect vehicle—a gray Ford Escape—traveling northbound on I-71 near mile marker 75 and conducted a traffic stop. The occupants were identified as Alonzo Thorpe Jr., 22, of Oakwood, Ohio, and Tyreese Shamar McCollum, 26, of Garfield Heights, Ohio.
A search of the vehicle and its occupants did not yield a firearm. However, the victim identified McCollum as the shooter and stated that the weapon had allegedly been discarded while the vehicle continued down the highway.
A background check revealed that McCollum had active felony warrants out of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for weapons possession while under disability and felonious assault. He was taken into custody and transported to the Fayette County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
The following morning, deputies returned to the scene near mile marker 75 to search for additional evidence. Their efforts led to the discovery of a Glock 19 9mm pistol along the highway shoulder, as well as a clear plastic bag containing multiple rounds of 9mm ammunition. Investigators later determined that the firearm had been reported stolen from the Garfield Heights Police Department.
Based on the victim’s statements and the recovered evidence, deputies have charged McCollum with attempted murder, weapons possession while under disability, and tampering with evidence. The ongoing investigation will be presented to the Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office for further review.
McCollum remains in Fayette County Jail without bond, awaiting his preliminary hearing in Washington Municipal Court.
