Internal review clears officers in suspect’s death

An internal review board has ruled three Columbus police officers were justified when they shot and killed a homicide suspect a year ago.

The board determined SWAT team officers James Sandford and Stephen Galiffo and canine handler Anthony Rogers all acted within policy when they fatally shot 20-year-old Jacquarius M. Robinson on Sept. 30, 2016.

Investigators suspected Robinson shot and killed Damion Wade after an argument at an apartment in the 1800 block of Fountainview Drive on the city’s Far East Side. The division’s SWAT team assisted investigators in tracking Robinson to the 1300 block of Knollwood Drive East on the East Side.

Robinson was observed taking a gun from his waistband and putting it in his jacket. Rogers attempted to stop Robinson. Instead, Robinson fled. Rogers, Sandford and Galiffo caught up to him in the backyard of a residence.

“Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots but stated they did not witness the shooting,” according to police. Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Columbus police officers killed six people in 2016. So far in 2017, four people have been shot and killed by police.