TRENTON, N.J., Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Prosecutors called a New Jersey man accused of shooting at police officers an "urban terrorist" at a bail hearing.
After hearing evidence from prosecutors Friday, a Mercer County Superior Court judge raised the bail for James Ellis Grant, 24, who is charged with two counts of attempted murder in the May 14 shooting, The Times of Trenton reported.
On the night of the incident, officers Mike Runyon and Gene Palumbo were patrolling Trenton when they heard two gunshots. When they rolled down the windows of their sports utility vehicle, four bullets were fired at them. Neither of the officers was injured in the incident.
Prosecutors said they have spoken with four people who identified Grant as the shooter and believe he fired at the officers with an assault rifle and had access to a grenade he had hidden.
The informants told investigators Grant allegedly said he wanted to kill the officers.
"He's basically like an urban terrorist, shooting at a police officer for no apparent reason," Assistant Prosecutor Lew Korngut said during the hearing. "We believe that the streets are not safe with Mr. Grant out there."
Judge Robert Billmeier raised bail for Grant to $750,000 from $250,000 after hearing the information.
Grant is also charged with aggravated assault and weapons charges for allegedly shooting another man in the left foot on May 10. His bail has been set at $100,000 for that incident.
If Grant is convicted on the attempted murder and aggravated assault charges, he faces about 60 years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against him.
