3 SWAT officers identified in fatal shooting

Whitehall police have named the three SWAT officers involved in shooting and killing a 28-year-old man during a drug raid at a Whitehall apartment complex.

Whitehall officers Gary Baker and Ron Casto, along with Reynoldsburg officer Joseph Danzey are all on paid leave, said Whitehall Deputy Police Chief Dan Kelso. Baker has been an officer for 10 years, Casto 12, and Danzy four. All three fired their weapons during the raid, Kelso said. A total of 13 to 15 officers who are part of the Joint Eastside Tactical Response Team raided the apartment, Kelso said.

The SWAT team entered a unit in the 5300 block of Great Oak Way at the Big Walnut Apartments, north of East Main Street, on Friday. The officers fatally shot Ledarren D. Mixon, 28, who police said was armed.

Mixon, who according to court records lived in Berwick, died at a local hospital. No officers were injured.

The raid was prompted by the sale of fentanyl-laced heroin from the apartment unit, Kelso said. Undercover officers bought drugs at that apartment, he said.

Five other adults and two children were in the apartment at the time. None have been charged, Kelso said.

Columbus police were brought in to investigate what happened during the raid. Kelso said that investigation could take up to a month.