Police shoot, kill armed suspect at Moose Lodge in north Columbus
COLUMBUS — Columbus police officers shot and killed an armed suspect at a Moose Lodge on the city’s northeast side Monday evening, according to police officials.
The shooting occurred at the Moose Lodge located in north Columbus after officers responded to reports of an armed individual at the facility. Police have not released the identity of the deceased suspect or specific details about what led to the use of deadly force.
Officers were dispatched to the lodge following calls about a person with a weapon, police said. The circumstances that prompted the shooting are under investigation.
Investigation Ongoing
The Columbus Division of Police has launched a full investigation into the officer-involved shooting. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will also examine the incident, which is standard protocol for police shootings in the state.
Police have not disclosed how many officers fired their weapons or whether the suspect fired at officers during the encounter. The names of the involved officers have not been released pending the investigation.
Community Response
The shooting marks another officer-involved incident for the Columbus Division of Police this year. The department has faced scrutiny over several high-profile cases involving the use of deadly force.
Police officials said they will provide additional details as the investigation progresses. The officers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave, following department policy.
The Moose Lodge where the incident occurred serves as a social club for members of the Loyal Order of Moose fraternal organization. The facility was temporarily closed following the shooting as investigators processed the scene.
Next Steps
Body camera footage from the responding officers will be reviewed as part of the investigation, police said. The footage may eventually be released to the public, depending on the findings of the investigation.
The Franklin County Coroner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause of death. Police said they expect to release more information about the incident in the coming days.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Columbus Division of Police at 614-645-4730.
Sources: NBC4 WCMH-TV, The Columbus Dispatch
