MANSFIELD — Wesley Patrick told investigators he aimed at center mass in order to “maim” a 42-year-old man the night he allegedly fired a fatal round during a road-rage incident.
That is according to Ontario police Sgt. Jon Sigler, who was the first witness called Tuesday during a preliminary hearing in Mansfield Municipal Court.
“He (Patrick) said he was aiming for center mass,” Sigler said. “That’s where all your vital organs are — that’s to kill someone. His exact words were to maim him (the victim).”
By the end of the 50-minute hearing, Municipal Court Judge Michael Kemerer ruled there was probable cause to believe a crime had been committed and bound the case over to a Richland County grand jury.
Patrick, 27, of Crestline, was arraigned Monday morning and charged with one count of voluntary manslaughter for the incident — which occurred at 8:53 p.m. Sunday on Lexington Springmill Road near U.S. 30., Sigler said.
The victim of Sunday’s shooting was identified as Andrew Westlund during an Ontario police press conference on Monday afternoon.
Richland County Assistant Prosecutor Lauryn Calderhead called Sigler to the stand. He has 24 years of experience in law enforcement and works the midnight shift at the Ontario Police Department.
Sigler said he was called in early Sunday night to interview Patrick and arrange for search warrants.
Patrick called 911 after shooting
Patrick was driving a Ford Focus and Westlund was in a Nissan Xterra on the night of the incident, Sigler said. Both vehicles were traveling southbound on Lexington Springmill Road.
“We got several of those (911 calls). Everyone thought that there was an injury crash,” he said. “They could see the (Westlund’s) car in the middle of the roadway. They could also see the Ford Focus (Patrick’s car) that was still in the roadway with its hazards on.”
Sigler said Patrick placed a 911 call himself.
“He called 911 and said that he was involved in a road-rage incident,” Sigler said. “He said that he used self defense, was his word, and fired one shot into him (Westlund).”
Patrick told investigators that he works third shift and was going to get gas at Sam’s Club. He traveled down the road to get coffee at Starbucks, but the business was closed. After turning southbound onto Lexington Springmill Road, Patrick told investigators he was being tailgated by a car driving “extremely erratic” less than a car’s length away.
When Patrick stopped at a red light near the U.S. entrance, he told investigators Westlund swung his car in front of him and approached his vehicle. Sigler said Westlund’s vehicle was stopped perpendicular to the road — an apparent attempt to cut off Patrick.
Patrick alleged Westlund punched his car window at least three times and attempted to open the door, according to Sigler.
With his car door locked, Patrick told investigators he retrieved his 9mm handgun but did not exit the vehicle.
“He said (Westlund) started to walk away, turned around and then started to come back towards him — at which point he put his window down and fired one shot,” Sigler said.
Citing the autopsy, Sigler said the bullet severed Westlund’s aorta, filling his lungs with blood.
PREVIOUS REPORTING ON ONTARIO FATAL SHOOTING
Kemerer upholds $1 million cash bond
After the shot had been fired, Patrick pulled around Westlund’s vehicle, continued southbound, stopped near Fazoli’s, put his hazard lights on and made the 911 call.
“He said specifically that he (Westlund) didn’t have anything in his hands. He said he never threatened him,” Sigler told Calderhead.
Patrick told investigators that Westlund told him to “get out of the car, (expletive).”
According to Sigler, neither vehicle showed signs of damage indicative to any collision between Patrick and Westlund. No windows on Patrick’s car were broken.
Defense attorney Josh Brown during cross-examination highlighted that Patrick did not flee the scene and agreed to voluntary statements. He also consented to a urine sample and to have his cellphone searched.
Kemerer on Monday set a $1 million cash bond for Patrick, which was upheld Tuesday afternoon despite attempts from Calderhead and Brown to have it adjusted.
Calderhead asked for an increase to the bond amount in light of postings made by Patrick on his social media that included violent song lyrics and a shirt with crude language.
Brown asked that it be lowered, largely due to Patrick’s Type I diabetes.