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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