Ex-Policeman Faces Trial in Felony Assault Case

A former police officer was ordered Monday to stand trial on felony assault charges for allegedly shooting a man during a traffic dispute.

Alan B. Ice, 45, of Fountain Valley was fired from the Long Beach Police Department in November after the Sept. 28 shooting, which occurred when he was off duty. Ice, along with the Long Beach Police Assn., is appealing the termination.

Ice was released on his own recognizance after the preliminary hearing, according to his attorney, John D. Barnett.

Ice is accused of shooting Neil Cramer, 36, a Santa Ana carpenter, in the chest after a traffic dispute in Fountain Valley.

The confrontation began when Cramer, accompanied in his truck by his fiancee and his 11-year-old daughter, swerved to avoid a fallen cyclist. Ice was driving behind Cramer, and the two men exchanged words.

Ice has maintained that as they traded barbs at a traffic light, he saw Cramer reach for something in his truck and thought it might be a weapon. Ice said he feared for his safety and pulled out his 9-millimeter handgun, which he claimed went off accidentally as he tried to leave the scene.

Cramer, however, said that Ice pointed the gun at him before firing. He has denied reaching for anything. But his 11-year-old daughter, Autumn, told police her father reached behind him in the truck for a hammer, according to court documents.