CLEARFIELD– A Lock Haven man will spend up to 20 years in state prison for firing a gun at police during a vehicle chase.
Police say Quintin Michael Titus, 26, was driving a Chevrolet truck with a license plate registered to a Ford vehicle when they saw it at 12:51 a.m. in Decatur Township on June 11.
After the troopers turned on their lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop, the truck passed the vehicle in front of him and fled, according to the affidavit.
As they followed him, the driver later identified as Titus, fired two rounds from the driver’s side of the truck toward the police car.
The police continued to chase him until the truck lost control in Osceola Mills and crashed. Titus then fled on foot toward Blanchard Street before being taken into custody.
When another trooper processed the scene, he found the truck had sustained heavy front-end damage.
In the vehicle, he found on the front passenger floor, a black hi-point 9mm gun that appeared to be jammed. There were two live rounds in the magazine and there was another live round on the floor.
A review of the police car’s dash camera footage showed the driver of the truck pointing a gun out the window and firing two rounds toward the troopers, according to the report.
No damage or bullet holes were found in the patrol vehicle.
In an interview with police, Titus stated he traded a bag of methamphetamine for the gun, which he carried for protection because “people are after him.”
After being asked why he fired at the officers, he began to cry, then said he was attempting to die by “suicide by cop.” He said he had nothing to live for since he lost his kids, according to the complaint.
Prior to sentencing, Titus apologized, saying he was not thinking as he was under the influence.
Judge Paul E. Cherry stated that Titus was fortunate this was not a homicide case and told him he could not blame his actions on his being under the influence. Even though none of the officers were injured, they still have to live with this for the rest of their lives, Cherry noted.
Almost a dozen state troopers were in court to hear this case.
Titus pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal attempt/criminal homicide, one count each of firearms not to be carried without a license, fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving under the influence and traffic summaries.
Cherry sentenced him to a total of 10 to 20 years in state prison.