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).
Michael Ward, as previously reported by Law & Crime, threatened his girlfriend on April 17, warning her of his intentions just before the incident occurred at approximately 8:55 a.m.
“I’m going to get my gun and cash out,” Ward reportedly said, according to a probable cause affidavit cited by The Journal Gazette. Authorities considered this statement a clear threat. Ward was subsequently charged with attempted murder and various firearm offenses after he shot at the Uber with an AR-style rifle while his girlfriend attempted to flee.
On Thursday, Ward received a six-year prison sentence.
Last month, Ward agreed to a plea deal that reduced his charges to criminal recklessness, resulting in a lighter sentence than the original attempted murder charge might have carried.
He had accepted a plea deal last month under which his charges were downgraded to criminal recklessness.
According to the Gazette, the maximum Ward could face under the plea agreement was six years.
“The defendant shot approximately three rounds toward the vehicle,” the probable cause affidavit said about Ward’s attack on his girlfriend. “The gunshots broke out the rear window and flattened the rear passenger-side tire. Three shell casings were recovered from the area at the time 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.
Ward’s girlfriend said she had been in a relationship with him for one year and that he was aware she was carrying a child. She was described in the affidavit as being afraid of Ward.
Court records indicate that Ward will receive credit for seven days of time served.
