CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Guardian has obtained exclusive video footage of a chilling shooting incident that has left the community of Chillicothe in shock and fear. The disturbing video captures the moment a man on a motorcycle pulls up, calmly walks towards a victim, and just out of frame, opens fire, fatally injuring the man. As authorities launch a citywide manhunt for the suspect, troubling revelations have emerged about the Chief of Police, Ron Meyers, who was reportedly found drinking beer at a local establishment during the height of the search that lasted several hours.
The incident, which occurred at 189 East Fourth Street, was reported to the authorities around 2 p.m. on Wednesday. The victim, Joseph Pollock, 30, Chillicothe, was found lying on the ground in front of a house when medics arrived. Pollock was taken to the local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Soon after, law enforcement received information about a “person of interest” spotted fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. A massive manhunt involving the Chillicothe Police Department, deputies, and troopers was launched, but the suspect managed to elude capture and remains on the run.
While the community anxiously awaited updates and justice with nearly two dozen law enforcement officers from three jurisdictions conducting a citywide manhunt for a killer —battling 90 degree heat and high humidity — an unsettling revelation emerged about Chillicothe Chief Ron Meyers. Witnesses reported that Meyers was seen downtown a couple hours after the shooting while the manhunt was ongoing at a local establishment, casually enjoying beer while the manhunt was in progress for several hours. When questioned about the shooting, Meyers claimed it was his day off.
Neighbors in the area of where the homicide unfolded remain concerned that it could happen again. A woman who lives near the shooting expressed concern about the safety of her children, mentioning that the YMCA daycare facility was put on lockdown as a precautionary measure. The woman also noted, “Apparently, someone is going around on a motorcycle and just shooting people.”
In response to mounting public outrage and concern, the Chillicothe Police Department issued a statement, vowing to investigate the incident thoroughly. The Detective Division has taken charge of the case and is urging anyone with information to come forward and contact them.
“We understand that incidents like this can cause concern within the community. We want to assure the public that we are taking this matter seriously and have assigned resources to address the situation promptly,” said Captain Michael Short of the police department. “Increased patrols will be implemented in the vicinity of the shooting to enhance public safety and provide a sense of security to the neighborhood.”
The incident adds to a worrying trend of gun violence in Chillicothe. Over the past few months, the city has witnessed a surge in shootings, resulting in numerous severe injuries, including those of two young teenagers:
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- December 31: A 15-year-old was shot on North High Street.
- January 10: A murder unfolded on Bridge Street at the Christopher Inn where a man was shot from a balcony.
- February 28: Two drive-by shootings, one on North McArthur Street and another outside a South Walnut Street laundromat.
- March 10: A 14-year-old girl was shot in the neck in Yoctangee Park.
- April 19: A drive-by shooting rocked the area around Caldwell and Seventh Street.
- April 25: A house and a dog were ruthlessly shot on Fleet Street.
- May 18: The city was shaken by two near-simultaneous shootings on Linn and East Main Street.
- June 16: A man was shot and robbed on Akron Street.
- June 20: A homeless man was shot on the edge of the city along route 23.
- July 5: A man is killed on East Fourth Street by gunfire.
At present, no arrests have been made in connection with the homicide. The investigation remains ongoing and Chillicothe residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
Meanwhile, family and friends mourn the victim and recall fond memories of him.
“My heart and prayers go out to Joe Pollock’s family and friends. I have a story about him, how he helped me so much when we went to G.E.D. classes together,” expressed an emotional Anna Colvin. “I had so much troubles with the math and written essays; he helped me so much. I’ll always have that memory. He had demons in his life, we all have them. He was so easy to talk with. Gone but never forgotten.”