IONIA, Mich- Chilling 911 calls obtained through the freedom of information act shed new light on the moments following and leading up to the road rage shootout in Ionia County.
Wednesday police say 43 year old James Pullum and 56 year old Robert Taylor shot and killed and each other after an apparent road rage incident. We do know both men did have their concealed pistol license.
In the 911 call you can hear Pullum’s wife who was in the car with him call dispatch. Emotionally distraught, she tried to explain what happened. You can hear her talking to a bystander saying “he was riding our butt and they got in a fight and the guy pulled a gun on him.”
Police aren’t say who fired the first shot but have said Taylor was following Pullum on Steele St. and that’s when Pullum pulled into the Wonder Wand Car Wash, its still not entirely clear what happened and why.
We did check both men’s driving records; Pullum got a ticket for disobeying a traffic signal earlier this year. Taylor was charged with operating while intoxicated and carrying a concealed weapon back in 2006. Taylor did have a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon and records show the weapons charge was eventually dismissed.
In court documents it shows that Taylor asked the judge to have his gun returned and the judge said the matter should be referred to the gun board. Ionia County Prosecutor Ronald Schafer said his permit to carry a concealed weapon was revoked for three years; he said Taylor re-applied to get back in 2010.
A neighbor we spoke to who knew Taylor said he was a nice and guy and helpful. Those who knew Pullum say he was a well-respected businessman in the community and a friend to many.
