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Ex-wife says radio station gunman was bipolar

  • Story Highlights
  • Woman says ex became angry when he didn't take medication
  • They listened to Christian radio together before divorcing, she says
  • Police fatally shot armed man outside radio station after receiving tip
  • Witnesses say he tried to shoot, run over officers
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STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania (AP) -- The ex-wife of a gunman fatally shot by police outside a central Pennsylvania radio station says the man struggled with bipolar disorder.

Ralph Ralston of the State College Police Department marks evidence at the scene.

A man in a white Bronco steers toward police Friday before being shot.

Coroner Scott Sayers says the gunman is 50-year-old Brian Neiman of Pottersdale.

Police say Neiman was killed Friday after he fired at officers and tried to run them over with his vehicle outside a radio station in State College.

Jean Neiman of Mifflin County says her ex-husband became angry when he didn't take his medication. She says they used to listen to the Christian station together before divorcing in 2006.

Police got a tip that an armed man was heading to the station and stopped him outside. No one at the station was injured.

WTLR station manager Mark VanOuse said the station received a tip about 10 a.m. that someone armed with a shotgun was asking people for the address of the radio station and for money. Police got the same tip and went to the station, Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said.

Officers intercepted Neiman as he arrived at the station, where he began shooting at police outside, ramming cruisers and trying to run over officers on foot, witnesses said. After an exchange of gunfire, Neiman was shot dead in his white Ford Bronco, Madeira said. No one else was wounded.

Witnesses said they heard about 20 rounds.

"At least twice, he fired from the car," said Brad Shearer, who watched from his office window across the street. He said he saw the man try to run over police officers with their guns drawn.

During a second exchange of gunfire, the gunman's vehicle drifted into a building, Shearer said.

Neiman is suspected of having had multiple weapons in the SUV, Madeira said.

VanOuse, who had taken his two employees to a secure room, said he saw only glimpses of what happened. The altercation lasted no longer than 15 minutes, he said.

"He was moving fast," VanOuse said. "He was blowing right past police cars with officers who had their rifles drawn."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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