Defiance man sentenced for firing gun at driver on turnpike

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A Defiance man who pleaded guilty to shooting at a truck driver has been sentenced to jail.

Bruce Enos, 63, appeared Tuesday in the courtroom of Wood County Common Pleas Judge Matt Reger.

Enos had pleaded guilty in January to felonious assault, a second-degree felony, and discharge of firearms on or near prohibited premises, a third-degree felony.

A third charge of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle was dismissed Tuesday, as were all mandatory firearms specification the accompanied the charges.

On Feb. 11, 2022, at 9:36 p.m., the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to mile marker 67 on the Ohio Turnpike for a 911 call from Enos, who said he had shot at a commercial vehicle.

Mile marker 67 is between Perrysburg and Stony Ridge.

Enos reportedly had issues with a semi driver, who he said was applying his brakes quickly and swerving to drive him off the road.

Enos fired twice at the semi. One bullet hit the engine bay and the second struck behind the driver’s side window in the back of the cab.

Two Taurus handguns were found in Enos’ vehicle.

“I took a situation totally out of control. I could have killed that man and destroyed his family,” Enos said. “I have no excuse, none, and I do apologize.”

“It was a complete disregard for human life,” Reger said, and added the semi-truck driver said he’s now anxious and paranoid.

“For the rest of his life, he’s going to be facing the anxiety of someone shooting at him,” Reger said.

He asked Enos what was different today than in February of last year.

Enos said he was not in a good place and didn’t realize how bad it was and has taken steps to correct that.

“No matter what issues I had at the time, they were my issues and I forced them onto someone else,” Enos said.

Wood County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Brian Boos said the state declined to offer a sentencing recommendation but asked that the two counts merge for the purpose of sentencing.

He asked that Reger impose a sentence for the felonious assault.

Reger said prison was warranted for this offense, but if he sent Enos to prison in his current condition, he’d be more of a drain on society than a benefit.

Enos is undergoing treatment for cancer.

Reger said the defendant has shown true remorse and has recognized his actions were wrong. He imposed a sentence of five years of community control.

If Enos goes one year with no violations, the judge will cut one year from that sentence. If Enos goes two years, he will reduce the sentence another year.

Reger said he will terminate community control after three years if there are no violations and $4,500 in restitution is paid to the victim.

Enos also must complete 100 hours of community service in three years and will not be allowed to own or use any firearms.

His guns were seized and will be turned over to the state patrol.

Reger also imposed 180 days in jail, deferred until June 1 to allow for Enos’ medical treatment.

He reserved eight years in prison if Enos violates the terms of community control.

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