In a decision that halts the progress of a criminal trial for the time being, a Licking County judge has ruled that the suspect in the New Albany mass shooting is mentally unfit to stand trial. Bruce Foster III, accused of a February shooting rampage at the KDC/ONE warehouse, will instead be hospitalized and undergo treatment, as reported by WBNS. The decision came after Foster's attorney provided a mental health evaluation indicating the need for hospitalization before Foster could meaningfully face trial proceedings.
Defense attorney Brandon Shroy emphasized the necessity of the hospitalization. "At this point, it is still in a medical venue and not in a criminal one," he told WBNS. Further inquiry into Foster's background by ABC6 revealed Foster's family had called 911 twice the previous year due to erratic behavior. During those calls, Foster's sister reported his diagnoses of schizophrenia and split-personality disorder, underscoring the challenges faced by the court in assessing his ability to participate in his own defense actively.
Foster faces almost 30 criminal charges related to the mass shooting, which left two individuals dead and four others wounded. The indictment issued just a day before the competency ruling includes charges for aggravated murder, murder, attempted murder, aggravated burglary, felonious assault, and inducing panic, according to records cited by The Columbus Dispatch. Both psychiatrists tasked with evaluating Foster agreed on his current state, deeming him unable to assist in his defense, which ultimately informed the judge's decision to prescribe his hospitalization.
