Post by jeffjames on Dec 23, 2009 9:23:48 GMT -5
Thespec.com
A Canadian mixed martial artist, who fought over a decade ago in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder.
Harold Howard, 51, was arrested at gunpoint early yesterday after a wild police chase through Niagara Falls ended when a pickup truck smashed through the front doors of Niagara Fallsview Casino.
Patrons were forced to leap out of the way for their lives, police said.
The dramatic police search and pursuit began around 2 a.m. after Howard allegedly went on a rampage against family members, said Niagara police media officer Constable Nilan Dave.
Police say a man drove to a home on Muir Avenue in north Niagara Falls where a woman and her son live. Police said the woman is either Howard's sister or his sister-in-law.
The 45-year-old woman and her 21-year-old son were attacked "with a weapon," police said. The woman bolted from the house screaming for help and a neighbour, awakened by her shrieks, called 911. Their attacker fled moments before police arrived.
The victims were rushed to hospital with serious but non- life-threatening injuries.
The man is then alleged to have driven to the home of another family member near Cinnicks Avenue "where he deliberately smashed his pickup into a car parked in the home's driveway," Dave said.
Police caught sight of the pickup moments later and tried to stop the vehicle, but "he refused to stop for police and fled," Dave added.
"They chased him for about four kilometres" as the vehicle headed straight for the casino.
Police said the pickup truck plowed through the front doors and atrium windows of Niagara Fallsview Casino at high speed.
"People had to dive out of the way" as the pickup barrelled 20 metres into the casino, stopping just short of the gaming floor after colliding with the casino's multimillion-dollar centrepiece fountain, Dave said.
"The casino is open 24 hours and fortunately there were not a lot of people in the area at that moment. But some people had to jump out of the way."
The driver was taken to hospital with crash-related injuries.
Howard has been charged with two counts each of attempted murder and assault with a weapon. He also faces attempted break and enter, fail to remain, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and mischief charges, along with two counts of breach of a recognizance.
Howard is best known for making it to the final of UFC 3 in 1994 when injured UFC legend Royce Gracie threw in the towel before their semifinal bout. He went on to lose the final match against American Steve Jennum, a Nebraska police officer.
He is a black belt in Goju-ryu karate and continues to teach martial arts in Niagara Falls.
A Canadian mixed martial artist, who fought over a decade ago in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder.
Harold Howard, 51, was arrested at gunpoint early yesterday after a wild police chase through Niagara Falls ended when a pickup truck smashed through the front doors of Niagara Fallsview Casino.
Patrons were forced to leap out of the way for their lives, police said.
The dramatic police search and pursuit began around 2 a.m. after Howard allegedly went on a rampage against family members, said Niagara police media officer Constable Nilan Dave.
Police say a man drove to a home on Muir Avenue in north Niagara Falls where a woman and her son live. Police said the woman is either Howard's sister or his sister-in-law.
The 45-year-old woman and her 21-year-old son were attacked "with a weapon," police said. The woman bolted from the house screaming for help and a neighbour, awakened by her shrieks, called 911. Their attacker fled moments before police arrived.
The victims were rushed to hospital with serious but non- life-threatening injuries.
The man is then alleged to have driven to the home of another family member near Cinnicks Avenue "where he deliberately smashed his pickup into a car parked in the home's driveway," Dave said.
Police caught sight of the pickup moments later and tried to stop the vehicle, but "he refused to stop for police and fled," Dave added.
"They chased him for about four kilometres" as the vehicle headed straight for the casino.
Police said the pickup truck plowed through the front doors and atrium windows of Niagara Fallsview Casino at high speed.
"People had to dive out of the way" as the pickup barrelled 20 metres into the casino, stopping just short of the gaming floor after colliding with the casino's multimillion-dollar centrepiece fountain, Dave said.
"The casino is open 24 hours and fortunately there were not a lot of people in the area at that moment. But some people had to jump out of the way."
The driver was taken to hospital with crash-related injuries.
Howard has been charged with two counts each of attempted murder and assault with a weapon. He also faces attempted break and enter, fail to remain, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and mischief charges, along with two counts of breach of a recognizance.
Howard is best known for making it to the final of UFC 3 in 1994 when injured UFC legend Royce Gracie threw in the towel before their semifinal bout. He went on to lose the final match against American Steve Jennum, a Nebraska police officer.
He is a black belt in Goju-ryu karate and continues to teach martial arts in Niagara Falls.
