CPD: Rape Suspect Fatally Shot By Police Was Unarmed
Police say the rape suspect who was shot and killed on a local interstate was unarmed at the time of his death.
COLUMBUS, Ohio —Police said Friday the rape suspect who was shot and killed on a local interstate was unarmed at the time of his death.
Columbus police said that Abram Bynum made two separate motions that made it appear he was reaching for a gun, NBC 4‘s Mike Bowersock reported.
Columbus police Sgt. Rich Weiner said all indications are that the chase, crash and shooting was a “suicide by cop” scenario in which a suspect hopes to be shot and killed by officers.
“As officers are trying to save his life there were movements gestures made by him, which made the officers believe that he was preparing to fire upon them,“ said Columbus police Sgt. Rich Weiner.
Bynum was shot after a police pursuit that began Tuesday at about 4 p.m. at Beechwood and Main and continued onto Interstate 70 on the city’s east side.
During the pursuit, Bynum crossed the median and collided head-on with a tanker truck.
When officers approached the suspect, he was still moving and appeared to be reaching for a weapon and was shot by police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said they believe the six officers who fired upon Bynum acted correctly.
It was announced Thursday evening that Bynum died as a result of gunshot wounds to the hands, head and chest area.
The Fairfield County coroner said the injuries sustained in the crash were relatively minor and non-life-threatening.
Bynum is the suspected High Desert Rapist, who is believed to be responsible for a series of rapes in Los Angeles County from 2004 to 2007.
Bynum has not been linked to any rapes in Columbus, but DNA linked him to several rapes in Los Angeles.
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Reader Reactions
Who cares. One less prisoner for the taxpayers to feed and cloth.
Bravo Mike,you speak the truth.Not enough importance is put on protecting society from these perpetrators that have damaged individuals to a point that it’s almost immeasureable.
There’s way too much consideration given the rapist than he /they ever give their victims.Most citizens agree that rape is a civil rights violation of the worse kind.Equal in fact to cold blooded murder.
Execute them bury them save money and torment from these slimeballs and maggots. sounds good to me they can all rot in hades as far as i am concerned.
I don’t know Mike. As the definition of ‘efficient’ changes over time (and through space) I feel that it is difficult to label our entire legal system as inefficient. I think it is inconsistent (such as the NFL player who got 30 days in jail for killing someone with his car) but that inconsistency can be pinned directly on the American public at large. Crimes, as defined by most legal systems, represent a small set of potentially harmful behavior. Murder, rape, molestation, etc are things that all Americans deem harmful to society at large, but to what extent people think they are harmful varies. Our legal institutions and police enforcers (working under our established laws) work to nail the worst of this behavior so that society can continue somewhat safely. The key is that the legal system does not claim to produce ‘absolute justice’ - it claims to pursue justice. And ‘justice’ is always changing. That is because each of us, as individuals, come from different background and different experiences and each of us define justice differently. Why do criminals who have spent time in prison arrange to go back once they are out? It might partially be due to popular opinion that felons or people who have served time are scum of society and therefore not worthy of jobs, education, or even a small part of the American dream. Heck, food in prison beats starvation on the outside any day. As for why they have 3 meals a day and TV - that is due to the fact that despite their crimes, they are still human and being human comes with certain rights that are rarely forfeit (even our death penalty provides prisoners with food right up to their execution). I agree that the legal system does need an overhaul - and a lesson in consistency and the defense of those who cannot defend themselves. I also agree that cable TV is a little over the top (as I cannot even afford to have it). But while they have TV, I have my freedom. I think that is something.
Now there is an idea mike. punish criminals by keeping them under watchful eyes of guards and make them live on the streets.
On the contrary Meg I believe we would have a more efficient justice system if it were an “eye for an eye”. Our current system does not work, the fact that crime is bad and on the rise represents that, people are not afraid of our justice system because penalties for crimes are too light. I believe if people knew they would pay a harsh price for committing a crime they would think twice before doing it. Liberal ideas and lawyers have been the downfall of the legal system, most criminals serving prison sentences live better than the law abiding citizens. They have clothing, 3 meals a day, entertainment such as tv and games, exercise equipment and they pay nothing for any of it. There are some repeat offenders that purposely go back to prison for this very reason
no mdaff its not just you. I had one friend and one girlfriend that were both rape victims and they never were the same again. So I agree it is murder of the soul and those that commit it should be punished in the harshest possible way
Mike: I am not claiming that you have ever done anything ‘wrong’ to anyone. I, personally, have. My main point of contention is the thinking that people who rape cannot be rehabilitated and therefore deserve to die. I don’t recall any situation (that successfully worked) where the failure to be rehabilitated resulted in death. Maybe people like this exist because they represent a part of us that is worthy to keep an eye on. Simply eliminating that which we do not like is not good operating procedure as it dulls us to the risks of being human. They are our responsibility (as tax payers) because we have the priviledge of living in a state that provides us (some of the time) with safety and security and retribution for wrongs done against us. Altering the laws to a degree where punishment is rendered via “an eye for an eye” will be unpleasant for everyone in the long haul. I shudder to think what would come next. In reality, if I ruled the world, I would be a facist dictator. Rapists probably would fall into a large group of people I would see eliminated from the population. But that is why I am not in politics. In the meantime, I think it is good policy to avoid subjective judgments and instead focus on working productively to better society around me. If that means that I pay taxes to keep rapists off the streets, so be it. Our energy should not be spent worrying about how much of our money is being used to support prisons and jails (another part of living in a state). Instead it should be used to support those who have been victims.
in my opinion, rape can be worse than murder. you are murdering someone’s soul, freedom, and mind when you rape them, but the life remains. Rape Victim’s often never snap out of it. To me, it’s the ultimate torture. maybe that’s just me
well Meg, I might not be perfect but I can tell you I have never raped anyone, stolen from anyone, or taken advantage of anyone. Also, sex offenders and rapists cannot be rehabilitated or fixed, they are not right in the head and will only come out of prison to do it again so why not save tax dollars and future victims and get rid of them
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