Officers shoot man after he fires at them
SHELBY – Two police officers shot and wounded a man after he fired at officers early Wednesday morning, according to the Shelby police chief.
The incident began at 11:41 p.m. Tuesday when Shelby police received a request for a welfare check on a potentially armed and suicidal individual at the west end of Seneca Drive, according to a news release from Shelby police Chief Lance Combs.
As officers approached in their vehicle, a male standing near another vehicle fired a rifle. Officers retreated and established a perimeter with the assistance of other agencies.
Officers repeatedly attempted to talk with with the individual, who responded by firing additional shots. At approximately 12:52 a.m., the individual pointed a rifle at police and two Shelby officers fired at the individual, Combs said.
It was determined that the individual was struck by the officer’s gunfire, and he was ordered to move away from his weapon. Four officers approached the individual, secured the weapon and provided first aid, Combs said.
Shelby fire and Superior Ambulance were on location and immediately arrived to provide treatment. The individual was transported to Ohiohealth Mansfield Hospital.
A dispatcher at Shelby police Wednesday morning said no further information was being released pending an investigation.
Combs said the criminal investigation has been turned over to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Both Shelby police officers were placed on paid administrative leave pending a review of the incident, as per department policy.
Scanner traffic following the shooting indicated that a 47-year-old man had been shot in the arm. The EMS squad requested an officer to follow them to the hospital.
The shooting suspect’s name was not released by Shelby police Wednesday before the print edition deadline.
Assisting the Shelby Police Department were the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Highway Patrol, Plymouth Police Department, Ontario Police Department and Mansfield Police Department.
The Richland County Prosecutor’s Office was notified and Ohio BCI was conducting an investigation.