CPD Shoots 3 After Celebrating Suspects Fail To Put Down Firearms

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Three people remained in stable condition New Year's Day after being shot by police in three separate incidents New Year's Eve.

No officers were shot.

NBC 4's Matt Alvarez & Mike Bowersock reported with the FAST FACTS Thursday.

The suspects in each case were shooting their firearms in the air to celebrate the new year, according to Amanda Ford with Columbus police.

When police responded to each scene, officers gave shooters multiple verbal commands to stop before they shot the suspects.

Ford asked the media to remind citizens that it is illegal to discharge your firearm in celebration of the new year. At two of the three scenes, individuals and witnesses stated that it was legal to discharge your weapon to ring in the new year.

Alvarez offered the police reports for each incident:

- On Dec. 31, 2008, at 11:51 p.m., officers were responding to the area of Elaine Road on a report of shots fired. When officers arrived, they spotted a male suspect in front of 1490 Elaine Rd., Apt. C, firing shots into the air. As officers approached the suspect, he was given several verbal commands to put down the weapon, but the suspect failed to comply. At that time, one officer fired his shotgun, striking the male suspect in the leg. The suspect was taken to Grant Medical Center in stable condition. The suspects name will not be released until charges have been filed. Several witnesses at the scene stated the suspect was firing shots in celebration of the new year.

- On Dec. 31, 2008, at 11:57 p.m., officers were responding to 1046 E. 16th Ave. on reports of shots fired. When officers arrived, they approached the rear of the house and spotted several individuals on the back porch firing weapons into the air in celebration of the new year. Officers gave multiple verbal commands for the individuals to drop their weapons, but the suspects failed to comply. At that time, one officer fired his service weapon, striking one male suspect in the hand. The suspect was taken to Grant Medical Center in stable condition. No charges have been filed at this time pending further investigation.

- On Jan. 1, 2008, at 2:10 a.m., officers were responding to shots fired in front of 457 Cherry Dr. When officers arrived at the scene, they spotted several individuals standing outside. One suspect was holding an automatic rifle and firing shots into the air. Officers gave several verbal commands for the suspect to put down the weapon, but the suspect failed to comply. One officer fired his rifle, striking a female suspect in the arm. She was taken to Mount Carmel West Medical Center in stable condition. Several individuals were being questioned, but no charges have been filed at this time pending further investigation.

The president of the CPD Fraternal Order of Police said police acted properly in the shootings of a number of suspects who were shooting guns at and around midnight to bring in the new year.

FOP President Jim Gilbert said officers warned all three people.

One suspect was shot in the leg, one in the hand and one in the arm. No one was charged yet.

The mothers of two of the young men who were shot claimed the shootings were unjustified.

Gilbert said CPD went on at least 300 gun runs after the clock struck midnight.

As in all police involved shootings, the involved officer(s) will receive mandated psychological support counseling. Officers also will be afforded an opportunity to take leave time to assist in recovery from a traumatic experience.

These incidents will be investigated by the critical incident response team (made up of specially trained investigators from the homicide squad) and the firearms/police-involved death review board.

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