Former fugitive charged with attempted murder of federal officers, firearms crimes

DAYTON, Ohio - Federal charges were filed here against a Dayton man who had been a fugitive in Missouri for approximately five years. The defendant fired shots at fugitive apprehension officers when they arrived at his Dayton home to take him into custody.

Terrence Gay, 41, had been a fugitive since September 2021, when he failed to appear to begin serving a federal prison sentence for fentanyl crimes.

According to court documents, on March 19, the Southern District of Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) developed new information regarding Gay's whereabouts and began surveillance on his residence.

On March 23, law enforcement officials surrounded Gay's home, announcing their presence and purpose.

Gay allegedly failed to comply with agents to come out of his home and eventually fired approximately 12 rounds at officers, striking an unmarked Montgomery County Sheriff's Office vehicle with deputies inside.

Dayton Police SWAT and Montgomery County SWAT teams arrived to provide assistance.

During this time, United States Marshals received a phone call from Gay's attorney, and a three-way call was made to arrange Gay's peaceful surrender.

Gay is charged with assaulting federal officers with a deadly weapon, attempted murder of a federal officer, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.

Besides his prior convictions in Missouri, Gay has prior convictions in Montgomery County for aggravated robbery, theft and kidnapping.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; United States Marshal Michael D. Black; Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck and Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Erica D. Lunderman is representing the United States in this case.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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