CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Newly released investigative records from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation provide additional details in a fatal deputy-involved shooting that occurred last winter along state Route 104 in Ross County, a case prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges over the summer.

The shooting occurred in February 2025 when a Ross County Sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a man later identified as Daniel Long during a reported burglary investigation, according to earlier statements from the sheriff’s office.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Pleasant Valley Road in Scioto Township for a report of an active burglary. A responding deputy later encountered a person matching the suspect’s description near Route 104 by the Chillicothe Baptist Church, located at 14000 Route 104, authorities said.

According to the sheriff’s office, the suspect brandished a firearm during the encounter, prompting the deputy to fire his weapon. Long was transported to Adena Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. No deputies were injured.

At the request of the sheriff’s office, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, which oversees BCI, conducted the investigation.

Records released confirm that the Ross County prosecutor decided in May not to pursue criminal charges against the deputy involved in the shooting. The decision came despite conflicting witness statements that differ from the official account provided by the sheriff’s office.

One motorist who witnessed the shooting told BCI agents they observed a deputy standing outside his cruiser with his firearm aimed at a man who appeared to have his hands raised. The witness said the man looked from side to side, turned away from the deputy, and took several steps before dropping to the ground.

The witness stated the man was walking away when the deputy fired and that they observed the recoil of the deputy’s firearm. According to the statement, the man fell onto his right side and was wearing a camouflage jacket or a hooded sweatshirt.

Link: ODOT video of shooting

BCI agents later reviewed Ohio Department of Transportation camera footage that confirmed a tan Chevrolet Suburban matching the witness’s description traveling northbound on Route 104.

Additional records include interviews with responding deputies who arrived moments after the shooting. One deputy reported hearing radio traffic indicating a suspect was at gunpoint, followed seconds later by a call of “subject down.”

That deputy told investigators the man was lying on the ground with a small black handgun within reach of his left hand. The weapon did not contain a magazine, and no round was found in the chamber, according to the report. Investigators also noted a box of ammunition was later found in the man’s coat pocket.

Deputies attempted CPR until emergency medical personnel arrived. The man was found to have suffered a gunshot wound to the upper left chest.

BCI also released additional photographs and body-camera footage related to the investigation. Some responding deputies were not wearing body cameras at the time due to equipment not yet being mounted, according to investigative records.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office said the records released represent a summary of information deemed most relevant to the investigation and do not include every detail gathered.

BCI provided a public link to videos associated with this case. Please be aware, viewer discretion is advised: Daniel Long Case on Vimeo