Early morning yesterday, near Ohio State University's South Campus, a suspected robbery led to a deadly officer-involved shooting. According to ABC6, Columbus Police were alerted to a robbery at North High Street and East 9th Avenue around 3:36 AM, where two individuals reported being confronted by a male with a firearm.
An officer located a suspect, who matched the description provided by the victims, seconds after gathering the information. During the attempt to stop the suspect, "The officer aired that the suspect had a firearm in their possession, and after the officer aired that information, the officer discharged their firearm several times, striking the suspect," James Fuqua, CPD's public information officer, told ABC6. The foot chase began near a Barnes and Noble on N. High St. and ended by the Lantern apartments.
Further details emerged from a separate account provided by WBNS, where it was stated that another officer, upon receiving the description of the armed suspect, initiated a foot pursuit when the suspect began to run. "During the chase, Fuqua said the officer aired over their radio that the suspect had a gun. Shortly after, he said the officer fired their gun several times, hitting the suspect," Sgt. James Fuqua said.
Tragically, the suspect was pronounced dead at 3:56 a.m. after being transported to a hospital in critical condition. A gun was subsequently recovered by CPD from the scene, with no indication that the suspect discharged their firearm, as the suspect was taken to the hospital during the chase when the officer who fired gunshots was told the suspect was carrying a firearm, according to a statement obtained by FOX8. In line with protocol, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will take over the investigation.
