Judge orders second mental evaluation for shooting suspect

A man from Columbus is facing charges for a mass shooting that occurred in New Albany in February. Bruce Reginald Foster III, 28, is accused of killing two people and injuring five others at a manufacturing facility. A judge has ordered a second mental competency evaluation for Foster after the request from prosecutors. The hearing took place on Wednesday, and the judge agreed to the evaluation without any objections from the defense. The first evaluation was completed within 30 days, and the new one will be conducted by a different psychiatrist. The court aims to finalize the second evaluation in a similar timeframe. After the hearing, Foster did not speak but stated, “I’m innocent.” He is charged with aggravated murder for the deaths of 38-year-old Kyle Vaver and 30-year-old Shekhar Chapagai. Prosecutors intend to ask for more charges related to Chapagai’s death. Foster was arrested on February 5 after a lengthy manhunt and is being held on a $20 million bond. Reports indicate that witnesses saw him acting strangely before the shooting. He reportedly took a rideshare after leaving the scene, but the driver was unaware of the incident. Foster has a history of mental health issues and has been hospitalized previously.