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
Wow is all I have to say to these posts. Do I think the police were justified in shooting the man - of course. I don’t think any of the police involved should lose their jobs or be punished for doing what they are trained to do. Considering the circumstances, they handled it better than I would have (I would have blown up the car earlier). What I do find disturbing are the posts rejoicing in the death and claiming that all sex offenders should be put to death. Don’t get me wrong - as a woman, those who rape are in serious need of punishment. I cannot imagine having to endure the after effects of a rape. However, I also find it disgusting that everyone seems to enjoy (in somee cases a little to much) logging onto the internet with modified identities and posting stupid and ignorant comments in an environment that frees them from actuallly being confronted with an alternative opinion (or getting their butts kicked for ignorant commentary). There is a reason why rape is not punishable by death - and before everyone goes around saying stupid things like “all rapists should be put to death” take a second to attempt to understand what death sentences like that might mean for EVERYONE. The world is increasingly intolerant - if 1 rape = a death sentence what should happen to those who drink and drive, abuse their children, steal money from others, take advantage of the poor, or put anyone in a situation where they are being taken advantage of. I am not against the death penalty, but I can see why people have problems with it. Mental stress and lifetime trauma do not belong solely to those who have been raped. It sounds to me like many of you need to go and find a hobby - maybe helping out rape victims or volunteering for community organizations that raise awareness on how to protect yourselves or the ones you love from rape - rather than posting stupid and poorly thought out ideas. I have yet to meet someone who is a saint - so make sure your crap is clean before you go sentencing people to death.
Sad….We are the only species on this earth that would feel sorry for the person(thing).
The idiot got what was coming to him, I’m glad to see any criminal scum pay the price for what they have done
why are people still whining about this? He’s dead, he’s worm food and you know what I’M HAPPY ABOUT IT! He deserved to die and if given the chance I would have pulled the trigger myself. He should be used as an example to all idiots that choose to become rapists…“You rape, this is what will happen to you”. He is with satan now and probably getting raped himself
landru would scream like a girl if that happened.
Landru, that’s the most pathetic thing I’ve seen from you yet. “enjoy the surprise sex” Ok, so a woman comes into your apartment in the dead of night, grabs you, beats the crap out of you, puts a knife to your throat, and starts cramming something into you that you don’t want. Think about it. Or maybe she holds that knife to your throat and says, “Get it up or I’ll cut it off”. Think you’ll enjoy the “surprise sex” then? Tell me how much you’ll ENJOY it.
I’ve had enough of this crap. He posed as a deadly threat. The cops are not going to wait until they see a gun. I’ll tell you right now if i was a police officer, and someone made a motion like they had a weapon, i’d unload the whole clip in that person. being a police officer sometimes is a kill or be killed job.
You know something landru i bet if you were in prison and got attacked in the prison shower you might change your mind about that. I was once molested by a man at a theater along time ago and i did,nt enjoy that. But still enjoying the surprise sex that i wanted well heck yeah until you get something in the mail that says you have to talk to a doctor about a disease that your one night stand might have how happy would you be then. Still this jerk got what he deserved as far as i am concerned
Nope,I meant from Bubba,Landru,potentially STD infected.
Rape clearly isn’t a consensual act-it’s an act of violence and the weapon can kill.It also kills the recipients sense of self and safety.
One down-1581 (registered in Franklin County) to go.Did you know that less than 20% of sex offenders are ever charged and less than 5% of those are convicted? Do the math on those frightening statistics!
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