Columbus police release bodycam video after shooting near community pool

2 months ago
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The Columbus Division of Police has released body camera footage capturing the moments of a shooting near a busy community pool and recreation center last week.

Officers were working special duty at the Lincoln Pool when they heard gunfire coming from the parking lot of the Barack Community Center, off East Woodrow Avenue.

Officer responds as gunshots ring out
In video from an officer stationed at the pool, several gunshots can be heard in the distance. The officer quickly stands up and signals to lifeguards and parents to bring children out of the pool for safety. The officer then rushes through a crowd toward the source of the gunfire.
As they reach the parking lot where other officers had also responded, another call of "shots fired" comes through on the police radio.

Officer fires shots
Body camera video from a bike patrol officer shows him riding back toward the recreation center parking lot. There, he spots three young males who match the suspect descriptions.
He shouts: “Hey! Hands. All of you stop. Hands!”
The officer pulls his gun. Two of the teens raise their hands, but the other is seen running away.
While another officer chases the fleeing teen, one of the remaining teens starts to walk away. The officer yells, “Don’t [expletive] move! Get on the [expletive] ground!” Both teens comply, one lying in plain view, while the other who started to walk away crouches down beside a parked car.
According to police, after the teen took out a firearm, the officer fired their gun several times, striking the 15-year-old. The officer is heard yelling that the gun was under the car.
Aftermath and charges
Backup officers soon arrived. The uninjured teen was detained, while the injured teen was handcuffed and given aid. The teen was taken to Grant Medical Center in "stable" condition and police recovered the firearm.
Additional body camera footage shows officers locating the teen who ran. Police said he threw a firearm over a fence into the pool area and was taken into custody. Video shows officers finding the firearm near the pool.
Police say the 15-year-old who was shot and a 16-year-old have both been charged with carrying a concealed weapon, tampering with evidence and obstructing official business. The 15-year-old also faces a charge of receiving stolen property.
A third teen, who followed police commands and was found with a BB gun, was taken into custody but not charged.
Investigation ongoing
Police said it's still unclear what the teens were shooting at. Officers found multiple shell casings at South 18th Street and East Morrill Avenue.
No one at the pool or recreation center was injured, despite the large crowd. A day camp was underway at the time.
The officer who fired his weapon is a two-year veteran of the department. His name has not been released. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is now leading the investigation.

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