Bodycam: Search for Suspect after Horrific Shooting of 2 Ohio Police Officers
What to know
- Two Mifflin Township officers were shot during a traffic stop when a passenger fled and opened fire.
- One officer who was struck several times, including once in the face, was critically wounded and has undergone two emergency surgeries.
- The suspect, who has an extensive criminal record and is considered dangerous, remains at large, and a $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest.
Two Ohio police officers were shot and wounded—one critically—during a traffic stop Wednesday, and authorities are shooting for the gunman.
The shooting happened at about 6:40 p.m. when two Mifflin Township police officers had pulled over a vehicle, The Columbus Dispatch reports. Once the vehicle stopped, a passenger—later identified as Daveonte Dixon, 21—allegedly jumped out of the car and began running.
During a foot chase, Dixon opened fire, shooting the two officers. Body camera footage captured the frightening incident.
One officer was critically wounded after being struck several times, including once in the face. The second officer was struck in the arm.
Both officers were rushed to the hospital. One of the officers was released Thursday, and the other officer underwent a second emergency surgery.
Brian Steel, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge #9, said that the critically injured officer was "fighting for his life" and was in stable condition. He said he knew one of the wounded officers.
"It's so hard to talk about this without getting emotional," said Steel. "As cops, I don't have to personally know you — I am you — you are me. We do the same exact job."
A large law enforcement presence gathered outside the Columbus hospital that the officers were rushed to, with cruisers parked for hours in front of an entrance.
"The cops are sick of it, the community is sick of it — we have to get a control on crime," Steel said.
A manhunt is on for Dixon, who has an extensive criminal record and is considered dangerous, and a $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest. He is charged with attempted murder and two felony counts of assault.
"There's no rock that you're going to hide under, Mr. Dixon," said Rick Minerd, Franklin County Sheriff's Office's chief deputy of investigation, in a news conference. "We're going to bring him to justice. Encouraging people to call in, help us get this bum off the streets."
The vehicle's driver from the stop was not considered a suspect and was released by authorities. A gun was recovered from the scene.
In a related incident, two Columbus police officers were injured while responding to the shooting. They were treated and released.
