He Blew Off Hands With Grenade in 1996
Akron, Ohio - A Barberton man was fatally shot and a policeman was seriously wounded Sunday in an exchange of gunfire on Akron’s southeast side, police said.
Robert McMullen Jr., 33, was dead at the scene, and the 36-year-old officer was reported in serious condition at an area hospital.
The officer, a policeman for nine years, was hit just below his protective vest, police said.
Akron police were called to the 2300 block of Triplett Boulevard about 8:15 p.m., said Lt. Sylvia Trundle. Family members called police after McMullen reportedly got into a violent argument with his mother. One of the two officers who arrived was shot at by McMullen, who was outside with a rifle.
The wounded officer fired back, and McMullen fired at the second officer, who also returned fire. The second officer was not hit.
McMullen had prosthetic hooks on both arms after a hand grenade blew up in his hands in 1996 after he was stopped for a traffic violation in West Virginia.
Trundle said he told West Virginia officers at the time he only wanted to harm himself as he pulled the pin from the grenade.
McMullen’s mother told police that even without hands, her son could do everything for himself, including cutting his own hair.
As a result of the gunman’s violent history, police remained on the scene Sunday night making sure no explosive devices were hidden in his car.