Two undercover cops shoot, kill man suspected of dealing drugs
Montgomery County deputy fires after vehicle hit Trotwood officer.
A multi-jurisdictional law enforcement “blitz” turned deadly Wednesday when two undercover cops fired on a suspected drug dealer who allegedly rammed one of the officers with a vehicle.
The suspect was hit multiple times, went to a hospital in critical condition and later died, said Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer. The shooting unfolded as an
undercover unit — which included a Trotwood officer — moved in on a suspected drug buy near a parking lot in the area of Needmore Road and North Dixie Drive in Harrison Twp. As the driver fled, his vehi
cle struck the Trotwood officer on foot who went down, Plummer said.
A Montgomery County sheriff ’s deputy then opened fire on the suspect “in fear of the Trotwood officer’s life,” Plummer said. “The Trotwood officer was able to get back to his feet and fire at the suspect also.”
Authorities have not released the names of the officers who pulled triggers in the parking lot
of JJ’s Fish and Chicken, 1926 Needmore Rd. Nor have they named the suspect.
“This guy has ran from police departments numerous times,” Plummer said. “They have no regard for the officers’ safety or the community’s safety .”
A brief pursuit east on Needmore Road then south on North Dixie Drive ended about 50 yards away from Ashley Alexander, who was standing in the garage of his auto sales and repair business.
Alexander said he’s witnessed police chases up North Dixie before, but none that involved what he estimated to be 25-30 cruisers responding to the officer down call that went out at 9:16 a.m.
“We saw a bunch of cars flying through here with dirt flying up, and looked over there and saw the plain police cruisers and they were chasing that burnt-colored Challenger,” Alexander said. “And he went flying up and hit the pole, and then they (police) jumped out and rushed the car.”
Alexander said he doesn’t mind police setting up drug stings near his business, Alexander’s Auto Sales and Repair at 5500 North Dixie Drive. He said drugs are “all over” and “rampant in this area.”
“There needs to be repercussions for what they’re doing,” Alexander said. “Smacking them on the hand, putting them in jail for a week and letting them out isn’t the answer.”
The Dayton Police Department has taken over the criminal investigation of the officer-involved shooting. The sheriff’s department and Trotwood Police Department would each be conducting their own internal investigations, according to Dayton police. Anyone who may have witnessed any part of this event or has information regarding the case is asked to contact Dayton police homicide detective Dave House at 937-333-1166.
The buyer attempting to purchase drugs from the suspect was cooperating with authorities, Plummer said.
Earlier this month, a state trooper shot and killed Dana Dubose, 36, in a McDonald’s parking lot in Vandalia a few hours after he stabbed his wife to death in her Hamilton County home.
Plummer said the weeklong enforcement “blitz” began Monday to target hot spots where crime data show there to be more drug sales and overdoses.
“When we have a high presence in a community, things like this happen,” he said.
It appears few drugs were confiscated in the operation.
“Not much,” said Plummer. “Probably personal use as usual.”