The murder charge is accompanied by two "special circumstances, " including killing a police officer on duty and firing a weapon from a vehicle.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Mr Bircham was also charged with assaulting a police officer and Mr Kerbin with having an offensive weapon.

BBC: Five EDL protesters deny charges in Leicester

According to reports, one police officer described a scene resembling a hostage situation, with the gunman pointing a weapon at the victims' heads.

BBC: Hofstra student shot dead in New York home invasion

Pointing a loaded weapon at anybody is grounds for a felony charge of assault, and brandishing a gun in front of a police officer is an affront to law enforcement that is seldom taken lightly.

NEWYORKER: A Loaded Gun