Judge rules New Albany mass shooting suspect needs another competency test
NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) — A trial for the man accused in a mass shooting at a New Albany warehouse in February still does not have a start date.
A court hearing took place Monday to appeal the ruling of competency to stand trial for Bruce Foster III, who was indicted in May on 19 total charges related to the deaths of two people in a shooting at the KDC/One warehouse.
Foster III was ruled competent to stand trial on Oct. 2 but a defense appeal led to Monday's hearing, where Licking County Judge David Branstool ordered another competency test. The doctor that will rule on Foster III's competency to stand trial will be provided by the defense.
He was found not competent to stand trial twice before being treated. He has since been released from Central Ohio Behavior Healthcare and was returned to Licking County jail.
"The doctor had a limited amount of time to do an evaluation. And in that limited amount of time, he's shown great improvement, but that he may still not be at the point that's he's ready to participate in the court process," said Foster's defense attorney Brandon Shroy.
The prosecution argued on Monday Foster is competent to stand trial because he answered questions on the definition of a guilty plea and the difference between a judge and prosecutor.
Foster was an employee at the KDC/One warehouse and had been working for several hours before opening fire and then leaving in a rideshare vehicle, authorities said. Witnesses reported Foster firing a handgun at people along a production line, including one victim who was shot at close range in the head. One of the shooting victims was able to get the handgun away from Foster, prompting Foster to then flee the building.
Police said there was reportedly no altercation prior to the incident and witnesses reported that Foster arrived at work intoxicated and smelling of marijuana.
He is charged with four counts of murder, four counts of aggravated burglary, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault, and six counts of inducing panic, along with a firearm specification.
The next court date has not been scheduled at this time.