An Ohio sheriff’s deputy is recovering from serious injuries and a suspect is dead following a dramatic shootout that followed a short car chase
According to WSYX, the incident occurred when the Franklin County deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The motorist reportedly sped off, leading to a pursuit that lasted about six minutes and ended when the suspect’s vehicle crashed.
The motorist allegedly got out of his vehicle and began shooting at the pursuing deputy.
In the exchange of gunfire, the suspect was fatally injured and the deputy was struck once. Though the deputy was rushed to an area hospital for emergency surgery, he is expected to survive. He was reportedly out of the operating room about an hour later and was listed in stable condition.
The injured officer was not identified, but according to the department he had been a deputy for seven years and was working second shift.
As Fox News reported, Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said the deputy was “well-trained and well-respected by his peers.”
A tweet from the agency on Saturday sought thoughts and prayers from the public as the investigation moves forward.
Still a very active investigation, information will be made available when we have a chance. Thoughts and prayers are needed right now for one of our own!
— Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (@OHFCSO) May 12, 2018
The agency received some support from nearby departments.
💙💙💙 #CPD We’ll help in anyway we can… always. 💙💙💙 https://t.co/KrqA4Ig0IW
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) May 13, 2018
“We’ll help in anyway we can… always,” the Columbus Police Department tweeted.
Officers from that agency joined county authorities at the scene. Agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation were called to the scene some time later.
In addition to the injured deputy, reports indicate a motorist whose vehicle was struck in crash that ended the police chase sustained minor injuries.
[Featured image: WSYX/video screenshot]
