Jacob Robida Captured in Arkansas

Teen Wanted in Gay Bar Rampage Is Caught

A teenager suspected of a rampage in a Massachusetts gay bar was captured here Saturday afternoon, but only after two people were killed: a police officer gunned down when he tried to stop the suspect's car and a female passenger of the teen, caught in a shootout with police several minutes later, state police said.

Jacob D. Robida was taken to a Springfield, Mo., hospital, according to state police spokesman Bill Sadler.

Police Officer Jim Sell from the northern Arkansas town of Gassville was shot as he attempted to apprehend Robida, Sadler said.

The teen sped away and exchanged gunfire with police in nearby Norfork, where the 18-year-old was wounded and a female passenger was killed, Sadler said. He did not know the name of the woman or her relationship with Robida.

Investigators had searched for Robida since Thursday's attack at a bar in New Bedford, Mass. Three men were wounded, one critically, with a hatchet and a gun.

The hatchet used in the attack was found outside the bar, but detectives believed Robida still had the gun.

Robida was a high school dropout who friends say glorified Naziism but never expressed any specific prejudice against gays.

"This is insane," said Heather Volton, 22, of Fall River, Mass., who had known Robida for more than a year. "That kid never so much as raised his voice at me ... This is all pretty much a shock to me, like everyone else."


Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press.

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