By Kristen Spicker and Jen Balduf
Source Springfield News-Sun, Ohio
An armed man who died after attempting to breach the FBI Cincinnati Field Office and leading law enforcement officers on a chase that ended in a six-hour standoff in Clinton County has been identified.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol on Friday morning confirmed the suspect's identity as 42-year-old Ricky W. Shiffer, of Columbus. Shiffer's name had been reported Thursday evening by the Associated Press and other media.
Law enforcement shot and killed Shiffer during a standoff that lasted more than six hours in Chester Twp. after he reportedly raised a firearm.
"The suspect then did raise a firearm toward law enforcement and shots were fired by law enforcement officers on the scene," Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Nathan Dennis said during a media briefing Thursday. "At that point the suspect was deceased, he succumbed to his injures at the scene."
Authorities now are investigating the motives of Shiffer, the case unfolding as the FBI warns agents to take extra precautions amid increased social media threats to its employees and facilities.
Officials reported a rise in threats against federal agents in the days following a search of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Shiffer was believed to have been present at the U.S. Capitol on the day of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, a law enforcement official briefed on the matter told the Associated Press. Federal investigators are also examining whether Shiffer had ties to far-right extremist groups, including the Proud Boys, the official said.
Around 9:15 a.m. Thursday, an armed man, later identified as Shiffer, attempted to breach the visitor screening facility at the Cincinnati FBI office, agency spokesman Todd Lindgren stated Thursday.
"Upon the activation of an alarm and a response by armed FBI special agents, the subject fled northbound onto Interstate 71," the statement read.
A trooper in Warren County spotted a white Ford Crown Victoria driven by Shiffer at a rest area in Turtlecreek Twp. around 9:37 a.m., according to OSHP. Once the trooper got behind the vehicle, Shiffer fled, resulting in a chase.
The pursuit continue north on the highway before Shiffer exited at state Route 73 and turned onto Smith Road. The chase ended around 9:53 a.m. on Smith Road near Van Trees Road, according to OSHP.
"Once the vehicle came to a stop, gunfire was exchanged between officers on scene and the suspect," Dennis said.
Shiffer took cover behind the car for hours near a cornfield. Around 3:42 p.m., he raised a firearm and law enforcement fire shots, according to OSHP.
Multiple federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Dayton Bomb Squad, responded to Clinton County. Houses and businesses within a one-mile radius of the intersection of Smith and Center roads were locked down.
Interstate 71 and other area roads were closed in Chester Twp. for hours during the standoff.
This report contains information from The Associated Press
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