CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A deputy is in stable condition after being shot outside the Ross County Sheriff’s office in Chillicothe, while the suspect is dead.
It happened at around 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Law enforcement reported that the deputy, who is Sergeant Eric Kocheran was shot in the chest in the parking lot outside the Law Enforcement Complex located at 28 N. Paint Street in Chillicothe. The sergeant was rushed to Adena Medical Center. The shooting, police said, appears to be an “ambush.”
“Sergeant Kocheran was transported to a Columbus area hospital where he is currently stable,” said Sheriff George Lavender.
The parking lot behind the jail was sectioned off with police tape with Lavender was on site. Multiple agencies, including Chillicothe Police Department and Ohio BCI were assisting in the investigation. Ross County Prosecutor Jeff Marks was also at the scene, as well as deputies from the Pickaway County Sheriff’s office.
Police said the suspect, whose name has not been released, approached Kocheran and yelled that he needed police assistance, and that people were out to kill his family, before opening fire on the deputy. Kocheran was shot once and then returned fire, shooting the suspect three times.
“A suspect was also shot and transported locally. I do not have any additional information to share at this time. BCI’s investigation remains active and ongoing,” said Steve Irwin, a spokesman for the Ohio Attorney General’s office.
Officials at the local hospital said the suspect — whose name they would not release — has died.
Kocheran was flown to a trauma center in Columbus and had immediate surgery.
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