ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — In Ross County, a deputy-involved shooting on Atlantis Road on Thursday has led to two deputies being placed on routine paid administrative leave, a standard procedure for such incidents. The shooting occurred when the deputies were dispatched following a report of a man claiming to be suicidal.
FAST FACTS:
- Two deputies placed on routine paid administrative leave, which is routine.
- The deputies were responding to a report of a potentially suicidal male on Atlantis Road.
- Upon arrival, deputies found the man in the house with a firearm. Deputies ordered him to drop the weapon, but he did not comply.
- A taser was deployed; during which, the man fired at the deputies.
- The man was subsequently shot at by the deputies and taken into immediate medical care.
- No physical injuries to the deputies; however, mental and emotional support extended to them.
- The gunman, airlifted to Columbus, is alive with deputies awaiting his release for arrest.
- Ohio Attorney General is investigating the incident as is routine for officer-involved shootings in the state.
When the first two responding deputies arrived at the scene, they found the man, who had previously told dispatchers that he had shot himself, apparently unharmed. However, this did not deter him from confronting the deputies inside the property with a firearm in hand as they tried to talk to him. Despite repeated orders to drop his weapon, the man did not comply. In response, one of the deputies deployed a taser. It was during this that the man decided to fire his weapon at the deputies, prompting them to return fire. It would later be revealed that the man did, in fact have a small wound that appeared self-inflicted, as well.
Following the exchange, the man was immediately taken down, and the deputies initiated life-saving measures. Emergency medical services soon arrived and transported the man to a local hospital. From there, he was airlifted to Columbus where, as of the last update, he remains alive. Deputies are stationed at the hospital, ready to arrest him once he is medically cleared.
While neither of the deputies involved in the shooting sustained physical injuries, Chief T.J. Hollis emphasized the emotional toll such an event can take. He stated, “The deputies are human and will have to mentally process what happened.” To aid in this, resources including mental health counseling have been extended to them.
The Ohio Attorney General’s office has stepped in to conduct an investigation into the officer-involved shooting. This is a standard practice in Ohio whenever a law enforcement officer discharges their weapon during their duties. In light of the incident and the significant response it necessitated, additional deputies from the evening shift were called in. Chillicothe Police officers also assisted at the scene.
