A case of apparent road rage may have led to a fatal shooting in Jay

Police in Jay continue to investigate a killing that might be the result of road rage. <br><br>A 22-year-old man is dead and an 18-year-old high school student faces charges. News on 6 reporter Emory

Monday, January 12th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Police in Jay continue to investigate a killing that might be the result of road rage.

A 22-year-old man is dead and an 18-year-old high school student faces charges. News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan has the story from Delaware County.

The shooting happened in the parking lot of the Jay Post Office Sunday evening. The district attorney says what ended in a homicide - apparently started with road rage.

Eddie Wyant, Delaware County District Attorney: "apparently it was pretty quick, exiting the vehicles I think the victim struck the defendant with his fists, and it's my understanding that the defendent then shot the victim in the head."

The murder suspect is 18 year old Laramie O'Leary, a high school senior - who police say confessed to shooting James Hansen. O'Leary's attorney says he was attacked - and acted in self defense.

Winston Connor, O'Leary's attorney: "All my client knows at this point is that he pulled in to get some mail and someone attacked him."

According to police records, the trouble started here on the bridge over Lake Eucha. The victims wife told police her husband tried to pass the suspect in traffic and the suspect sped up. She told police her husband followed him to the post office in Jay, where the fight and the shooting happened.

Eddie Wyant, Delaware County District Attorney: "there was some speeding up and down on the way, but the vehicles did not hit, there's not evidence of that."

O'Leary's attorney says he's not sure what happened before the victim and suspect tangled in the parking lot. Winston Connor, O'Leary's attorney: "There was no intent on my client to shoot him no intent to talk with him or fight him, no intent at all, my client was there to pick up mail not to fight."

O'Leary is the son of a local bail bondsman, and was released from jail Monday morning on $25,000 bond.

O'Leary faces a second degree murder charge.