By Rick Pfeiffer
Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS —
Falls police are looking for a suspect in a daring daylight shooting spree that ended in a car crash in the North End.
Investigators said the trouble started at 5 p.m. Monday when a suspect identified as Juan Ubiles drove a mini-van up to a home in the 1300 block of Michigan Avenue and began shooting.
“The victim was on his porch with his two children and his girlfriend,” Falls Detective Lt. Michael Trane said. “(Ubiles) got out of his van and started shooting at (the victim). He fired several shots, then returned to his vehicle.”
Neither the intended target nor his girlfriend or children were struck by the gunfire. Trane said the victim then jumped into his own car and began searching for his attacker.
“He found (Ubiles’) van in the alley in the 2200 block between Pierce and Willow (avenues) and began following it,” Trane said. “The van was heading east toward Hyde Park Boulevard and when Ubiles saw the victim following him, he turned off the alley and drove between two houses.”
Ubiles’ van side-swiped one home, causing minor damage and then drove out into the 2200 block of Pierce Avenue. The victim continued to drive eastbound down the alley.
“As the victim came out of the alley, he saw the van at a stop sign at Pierce (Avenue) and 24th (Street) and he headed toward it,” Trane said. “Ubiles got out of his van and pointed his gun toward the victim and, in an effort to avoid being shot, (the victim) rammed Ubiles’ van with his car.”
The impact of the crash propelled both vehicles up onto a nearby lawn. Trane said Ubiles yelled some additional threats at his victim and then ran east down Pierce Avenue.
Witnesses said Ubiles had a gun in his hand as he fled.
The victim was not injured in the crash.
Investigators said Ubiles faces multiple charges, including several counts of reckless endangerment.
Detectives said the victim told them he had no idea why he might be targeted for violence.
