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Woman Charged With Shooting Columbus Cop Facing Multiple Charges

Columbus Division of Police

A woman accused of shooting a Columbus police officer is now facing federal charges.  

Authorities say 68-year-old Rita Gray shot Russ Weiner Thursday after he and other officers entered her north side home to serve a search warrant as part of a drug investigation.  Gray has been charged with drug possession with intention to distribute and with dishacrging a firearm.  She could face 20 years to life in prison if convicted on all charges. Police say the officer is expected to recover. Court documents show in January, state and federal law enforcement began an investigation into suspected drug trafficking, including irregular financial activity related to money laundering and narcotics trafficking involving Gray's son Eric and others. That investigation continues.

A native of Chicago, naturalized citizen of Cincinnati and resident of Columbus, Alison attended Earlham College and the Ohio State University. She has equal passion for Midwest history, hockey and Slavic poetry.
Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.