The Franklin County Sheriff's Office released bodycam footage yesterday that captured the shooting of 32-year-old Alexander Tolber by SWAT deputies in Gahanna, Ohio. Tolber was being served multiple arrest warrants at a construction site, which is the future home of the Gahanna Municipal Complex. The site is located at 825 Tech Center Drive, near Morrison Road. According to WBNS, the incident occurred while deputies were to serve warrants for offenses including menacing by stalking and obstructing official business.
The SWAT unit was deployed to arrest Tolber based on information suggesting he could be armed, Deputy Chief Rick Minerd indicated in a statement obtained by The Columbus Dispatch. Bodycam footage shows Tolber backing away from officers and reaching into his back pocket before being shot. The video, which the sheriff's office says shows Tolber pulling what appeared to be a gun, resulted in at least three deputies firing and hitting him.
After the shooting, Tolber was transported in critical condition to Mount Carmel East Hospital and is expected to survive. A gun was found at the scene alongside the wounded suspect. By standard procedure, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is now investigating the circumstances of the incident.
"Back up, bro," were the words Tolber allegedly used repeatedly, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch, before he pulled what is believed to be a handgun from his pocket. Tolber had warrants for various misdemeanors, and additional charges related to the altercation may still be filed. The deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending investigation. The specifics about why a SWAT team was chosen for the arrest at a construction site were not detailed, though it was mentioned that Tolber might pose a violent threat to law enforcement.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Deputy Chief Minerd expressed to WBNS that he believes "Had that decision not been made it could have been much worse," suggesting that the swift response by the SWAT team may have prevented further violence. No deputies or bystanders at the construction site were injured during the incident.
