LIBERTY TWP, Ohio - The suspect in a shootout in Liberty Township from June of 2022 has been deemed competent to handle trial.

This decision came after several status conferences between October of 2022 and January of 2023 in the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas.

Fifty-six-year-old Kevin Mallard is facing several charges including Attempted Murder, Inducing Panic and Improper Handling of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle.

Mallard had previously pled not guilty by reason of insanity, but a Columbus-area psychologist deemed him competent to stand trial.

Court records show Mallard will reappear in court for a final pretrial hearing on February 21 and again for a trial by jury on February 27.