Man Who Fired At Montco Officers Charged With Attempted Murder

UPPER GWYNEDD, PA — Authorities identified the man who they said fired a shotgun at local police during a chase and confrontation over the week.

Randy Root, 35, of Warrington, has been charged with attempted first degree murder, aggravated assault, and numerous related counts in connection with the incident.

Police said they used the handcuffs of Sgt. Raymond Royds, the man whom Root shot at, to transport Root from Abington-Lansdale Hospital to Montgomery County Correctional Facility on Monday afternoon. Root had been hospitalized to undergo detox following the incident, during which he was high on methamphetamine, according to officials.

The incident began at around noon after a man acting suspiciously was reported wandering around the area of E. Prospect Avenue.

When police arrived, Root, then identified only as a 35-year-old white man, fled the scene, trying to break into local sheds and a local resident's vehicle along the way.

Police tracked him to a yard off nearby Cathy's Lane. Police Chief David Duffy said that Root was maybe thirty feet away at this point and the three officers on the scene attempted to engage him in conversation.

That's when Root turned and fired the shotgun at Sgt. Royds. Fortunately, the shot missed.

Officers did not return fire, "opting for restraint," Duffy said, and, and a perimeter was established in the area.

Officer Minjoo Kim located Root in a yard across the street from where the weapon had been fired, and police were able to take him into custody.

In addition to the shotgun, Root had a rifle and ammunition on him when he was arrested.

Additional charges include assault of a law enforcement officer, recklessly endangering another person, possession of firearm prohibited, possessing an instrument of crime, burglary, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, criminal trespassing, simple assault with a deadly weapon, and more.

Cash bail was set at $1 million by Judge Leonard. A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 3.