Police: Man Shot, Killed Along I-70 Was L.A. Rape Suspect

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Information is coming to light about the man who was shot and killed by police after a pursuit and crash Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities said the incident began with a police pursuit at Beechwood and Main that continued onto Interstate 70 on the city’s east side.

During the pursuit, Columbus Division of Fire Battalion Chief Doug Smith said, the suspect crossed the median and collided head-on with a tanker truck.

Smith said when officers approached the suspect, he was still moving and appeared to be reaching for a weapon and was shot by police.  Officials said the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspect has been identified by Columbus police as Abram Bynum. 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.

L.A. County authorities enlisted the help of CPD in obtaining a DNA sample from Bynum. Police said the DNA was sent to L.A., where tests allegedly matched Bynum’s DNA to five area rapes. Additional evidence, CPD said, allegedly linked the suspect to three other rapes.

Columbus police said that when the DNA was confirmed, Bynum was suspected in eight rapes consisting of 19 charges in L.A.—the most serious of which were rape and kidnapping.

According to an L.A. detective, authorities had planned to come to Columbus and take Bynum back to L.A.

Columbus police said that they are investigating whether the suspect committed rapes in Columbus.

The L.A. detective said Bynum was suspected in sexual assaults in Columbus, but wouldn’t elaborate.

Officials said Bynum has family living in Central Ohio. An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.

The semi driver involved in the crash was taken to Grant Medical Center in stable condition.

No officer injuries were reported in the incident.

As a result of the crash, I-70 east was closed at Brice Road and I-70 west was closed at state Route 256 during the investigation and cleanup. All lanes of traffic were reopened at about 1 a.m.

The semi was empty at the time of the crash, but diesel fuel was leaking onto the roadway. Hazardous materials crews were also called to the scene.

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