Attempted homicide charges withdrawn
Charges against a Washington man accused of attempted homicide were withdrawn Wednesday after police were unable to locate witnesses or make contact with the victim.
Kevin Raney, 57, of 119 Murray Ave., was also charged with aggravated assault, discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, terroristic threats and reckless endangerment following accusations that he fired a shotgun at his stepson, Walter Holt III, who was running from a fight the two had in their home Feb. 13.
Raney appeared before District Judge Robert Redlinger for his preliminary hearing, but Holt and witnesses did not show. Raney’s preliminary hearing was continued once before for the same reason.
Police believe Raney went to his basement and grabbed the shotgun and a 9mm handgun after his Holt, 25, struck him in the face during a fight inside their residence around 10:45 p.m.
Raney responded by saying, “I’m going to kill you,” police alleged.
Holt then ran outside and hid behind a vehicle as Raney allegedly fired several rounds from the shotgun while he ran after Holt, police said. Holt was not injured.
Raney went back into the basement, where he was later taken into police custody.
Raney’s attorney, Ryan Tutera, declined to comment as he left the hearing Wednesday.
The incident remains under investigation, as police will continue to attempt to make contact with Holt and witnesses.