Federal prosecutors say a Dayton fugitive who allegedly opened fire on officers during a tense standoff earlier this week is now facing a slate of serious charges after finally surrendering.
On Wednesday, authorities filed federal charges against 41-year-old Terrence Gay, accusing him of firing roughly a dozen rounds at law enforcement officers during a Monday encounter in Dayton, then later giving himself up. Gay is now charged with attempted murder of a federal officer, assaulting federal officers with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Ohio alleges Gay fired approximately 12 rounds at officers as they surrounded his home. One of those rounds allegedly hit an unmarked Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office vehicle with deputies directly behind it.
The sheriff’s office says the Southern District of Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team had developed new information on Gay’s whereabouts and began surveillance of his residence last Thursday. Dayton Police SWAT and Montgomery County SWAT moved in on Monday, setting the stage for the armed standoff described in the complaint.
Federal Counts And What They Mean
The complaint charges Gay with discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, assaulting federal officers with a deadly weapon, attempted murder of a federal officer, and illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. Those gun-related counts carry steep, often consecutive penalties under federal law, as outlined in 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (see the Legal Information Institute). Assaults on federal officers are governed by statutes such as 18 U.S.C. § 111, which provide enhanced penalties when a deadly weapon is used (see the Legal Information Institute).
How The Arrest Ended
The sheriff’s office says Gay had been a fugitive since failing to appear in September 2021 to begin serving a federal prison sentence in Missouri on fentanyl-related charges. According to the same post, he also has prior convictions in Missouri and in Montgomery County for aggravated robbery, theft, and kidnapping.
Despite the alleged gunfire during Monday’s encounter, the situation ended without further violence. The sheriff’s office says the United States Marshals Service received a phone call from Gay’s attorney, which led to a three-way call to arrange a peaceful surrender. Gay ultimately turned himself in without additional incident, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
What Happens Next
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio will decide whether to seek an indictment and will handle Gay’s initial federal court appearances and any detention motions. At this stage, the case is based on a criminal complaint, which contains only allegations. Gay is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court, a reminder the U.S. Attorney’s Office routinely includes in its public statements.
According to the complaint, the charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II in coordination with federal and local partners. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica D. Lunderman is listed as representing the United States in the case. Court dockets, along with future statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, are expected to provide the next public updates as the prosecution moves forward.
