Columbus officials express frustration, relief after shootout with teen
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A day after Columbus police got into a shootout with a teenager, the chaos that unfolded could be seen in video from the officers' body-worn cameras.
Officials are calling this incident unacceptable but are thankful no one was hurt. Chief Elaine Bryant said the suspect had no regard for officers or peoples lives.
In a news conference Friday, police showed multiple body camera angles from officers that responded to a domestic violence call about 11 a.m. Thursday in the 1000 block of Lockbourne Road, on the Southeast Side.
The first video showed the two officers that were first on the scene. They quickly saw and made contact with the teenager, but a minute later, chaos ensued. In the video you can hear officers telling the officer to "come here," followed by multiple shots.
Police said the teen fired at them with a rifle and ran away. The body camera footage showed officers running around searching for the teen.
Police chased him into an alley, where more gunfire was exchanged. No one was injured, but a police cruiser was hit. Police had to act fast, as the suspect could be seen carelessly firing shots.
Police also shared a slowed-down video, and in it you can see the suspect running across the street, firing at officers. You can also see a bullet hit the ground, just missing an officer.
After this, police managed to arrest the suspect without incident. Lt. Brian Steel, who's president of the local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, said the footage was hard to watch.
“Society failed him, schools failed him, parenting failed him. And I am so grateful that our officers were not killed," he said. "I am grateful that this 17-year-old was not killed. Now he can face the justice that he deserves.”
Police say the teen had a rifle that he later threw onto a roof. A stolen handgun was also recovered. The suspect has a lengthy criminal history, dating to when he was 12.
Bryant said they’re working on improving the juvenile justice system, but a lot more needs to be done.
“He's a very violent and dangerous individual and he showed no regard not only to the officers but to the people in the community,” Bryant said. “If anyone thinks it’s OK to shoot at an officer or to put the community at harm the way this suspect did, we will come after you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
Police say the victim suffered minor injuries after jumping from a second story window.
“Police cannot solve this crisis for us. We all have to do our part to step up, to fight domestic violence. Our officers absolutely have a role to play, but they need us to step up,” Mayor Andrew Ginther said.
The teen is in custody and will face a felonious assault charge on an officer, with more charges expected.