Indiana County man fired AR-15 rifle during argument with girlfriend, troopers say
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A 28-year-old Indiana County man is accused of firing two shots from an AR-15 rifle during a several hour standoff with state troopers over the weekend before he surrendered, according to state police.
Jacob M. Bloomberg was arraigned on charges of illegal possession of prohibited offensive weapon, reckless endangerment, terroristic threats and simple assault filed by state police. District Judge Christopher Welch of Clymer ordered Bloomberg held in the county jail after he failed to post $100,000 bail.
State police in Indiana said they were dispatched to Bloomberg’s Coral residence on Ash Street at 11:53 p.m. Saturday after a woman reported she was involved in a fight with him and he allegedly threatened to kill her.
Troopers said Bloomberg fired two rounds from the AR-15 rifle while inside the residence. The female was able to escape and met responding troopers, according to Trooper Clifford Greenfield.
Coral is a village in Center Township between Blairsville and Indiana.
Troopers established a perimeter around the home and made telephone contact with Bloomberg, who threatened to shoot any police that came to his residence and also threatened suicide, according to police.
Greenfield said troopers on the perimeter observed Bloomberg breaking items inside the home, then lean out a window with a rifle and make repeated comments to negotiators he was in possession of multiple weapons and explosives.
The Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team was activated and responded as well as troopers from Ebensburg and Greensburg stations.
Bloomberg eventually surrendered early Sunday and was taken into custody.
Greenfield reported troopers seized the rifle, a sawed-off shotgun, ammunition, a small amount of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia from the home.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled March 16.