What began as a call last night about a man allegedly assaulting a woman at a homeless encampment ended with gunfire in the woods near the 3000 block of Cotton Mill, Columbus police said. Responding officers followed reports of a male attacking a female and tracked a man and woman into a nearby wooded area. According to police, the man raised a firearm, then bolted into the trees, where he and two officers exchanged shots. No officers were injured, and an extensive search was launched in the area, authorities said.
In a Facebook post, the Columbus Division of Police identified the suspect as 41-year-old Michael Magyar, who officers say is also known as "Machete Mike." Detectives have obtained a felonious assault warrant for his arrest. Police said multiple callers reported the man was armed, and one witness told officers he had assaulted a woman at the encampment before running into the woods. Magyar is described as a white male, about 6-foot-2 with a thin build and thinning brown hair. According to police, he has tattoos above his lip, a cross on the back of his neck, tattoos on both biceps, and was last seen shirtless and wearing black shorts.
The department said it has requested that the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation handle the inquiry into the shooting, which is the standard process for officer-involved incidents in Columbus. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducts independent investigative and forensic work in critical cases across the state, including processing and reviewing evidence.
Search and Public-Safety Notice
Police said officers were conducting an extensive search in the wooded area near the Cotton Mill block and urged anyone nearby to avoid the search zone. The department warned the public, "Do not approach Michael Magyar," and asked anyone who spots him to call 911, saying he should be considered armed and dangerous. Investigators noted it is unclear whether Magyar was hit by the officers’ gunfire, and the department said body-worn camera footage from the encounter will be released after it is properly redacted under Ohio public-records law.
Charges and Investigative Next Steps
Detectives have filed a felonious assault warrant against Magyar, a charge that under Ohio law can apply when someone attempts to cause serious physical harm or uses a deadly weapon. The elements and penalties are detailed in Ohio Revised Code § 2903.11. With BCI handling the officer-involved portion of the investigation, prosecutors will review the agency’s findings and related evidence, including any redacted body-camera video, before deciding whether to pursue additional charges.
