Firefighter Shoots at Cyclist, Hits His Helmet, For Biking With Child

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Firefighter accused in shooting released from jail

Asheville Citizen-Times

ASHEVILLE — A firefighter accused of shooting at a bicyclist was released from jail today after a judge reduced his bond.

Charles Alexander Diez, 42, apparently fired at the Asheville man after arguing with him about riding his bike on Tunnel Road Sunday morning with his 3-year-old child in a bike seat behind him, police have said.

The bullet blew a hole through the outer lining of the bicyclist's helmet and went straight through both sides of it, but he was not hit.

Police charged Diez with attempted first-degree murder and his bond was set at $500,000. A judge reduced his bond to $200,000, which he posted and was released from the Buncombe County Detention Center about 5 p.m.

Diez has been employed by the Asheville Fire Department since February 1992, according to interim Chief Scott Burnette. Diez has been placed on paid leave during the investigation, Burnette said.

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090728/NEWS01/90728085