Eight Columbus police officers were involved in a shootout with adult male crime spree suspects on Interstate 70 east near Downtown on Thursday afternoon, according to Columbus police. The names of the officers involved, including the injured officer, cannot be released under Ohio’s version of Marsy’s Law, which went into effect in April, because the officers are considered victims of a violent crime. The injured officer has 10 months of service with the city Division of Police, while the other officers involved were identified by number and years of service.
The incident began with an armed robbery at the Byers Import Porsche Columbus dealership, where a man wearing a facemask and armed with a gun demanded the key fob to a Porsche Cayenne SUV. The suspect fled the dealership in the stolen vehicle, which had anti-theft GPS software activated. Whitehall police were able to track the SUV to a Fifth Third Bank, where the suspects allegedly committed a “takeover style” robbery. Officers from Whitehall boxed in the SUV, but the suspects were able to escape and a pursuit ensued.
The pursuit led to Interstate 70 east toward Downtown, where the suspects’ vehicle stopped at an odd angle. At least one of the suspects began firing a gun at officers, who returned fire. One suspect was fatally struck and pronounced dead at the scene. The wounded Columbus police officer underwent emergency surgery and is now in stable condition but faces a long road to recovery. Two other suspects fled the scene on foot and an extensive manhunt took place, resulting in the arrest of one suspect. Police are still searching for another unidentified suspect.
The group involved in the crime spree is being investigated for potential involvement in other crimes in Columbus and across central Ohio. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into the police shooting, and a large section of I-70 was closed for hours to gather evidence and document the crime scene.
The incident caused major disruptions to traffic, with sections of I-70, I-71, and Route 315 being shut down during the afternoon commute. Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, Safety Director Kate Pishotti, and Assistant Police Chief Greg Bodker visited the injured officer and his family at the hospital, expressing their belief that the community’s thoughts and prayers have contributed to the officer’s promising recovery.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts or identity of the remaining suspect is urged to contact the police. The suspect who was taken into custody has not been officially charged, and police are withholding his identity.
What were the identifying factors used for the officers involved, excluding the injured officer, in the crime spree shootout
According to Columbus police, a shootout took place on Thursday afternoon involving eight Columbus police officers and adult male suspects who were on a crime spree. The incident occurred on Interstate 70 east near Downtown. Unfortunately, the names of the officers involved, including the injured officer, cannot be disclosed due to Ohio’s version of Marsy’s Law, which was implemented in April. This law considers the officers as victims of a violent crime.
Out of the officers involved, the injured officer has served the city Division of Police for 10 months, while the rest of the officers were identified by their respective numbers and years of service.
The incident initially began with an armed robbery at the Byers Import Porsche Columbus dealership. The suspect, wearing a facemask and armed with a gun, demanded the key fob to a Porsche Cayenne SUV.
Wow, this Bodycam footage of the pursuit and shootout in Columbus is absolutely gripping. It truly reveals the extreme risks our brave police officers face daily to protect our communities.
This intense bodycam footage captures the heart-pounding pursuit and chilling shootout between the police and the suspects of a stolen Porsche in Columbus. Truly gripping and a testament to the bravery of our law enforcement officers.