A Columbus police officer, who fatally shot an unarmed Black man seconds after coming upon him, has been placed on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident. According to NBC News, the fatal Tuesday encounter occurred while officers were attempting to serve a warrant for the arrest of 20-year-old Donovan Lewis.
Body camera footage of the fatal encounter was released by Columbus police later on Tuesday. In the video, a police officer can be seen opening fire on Lewis moments after he was located in a room of an apartment building. Prior to the shooting, Lewis is seen appearing to get up from bed and raise his hand.
The officer who fatally shot Lewis was identified as Ricky Anderson. Chief Elaine Bryant told reporters at a press conference that Anderson opened fire on Lewis after it appeared Lewis had something in his hand when he supposedly raised it, WCMH reported. After the fatal shooting, Bryant said a gadget that looked like a “vape pen” was “found on the bed right next to him.” Police also said they did not find any weapon.
“Donovan Lewis lost his life. As a parent, you know, I sympathize, and I grieve with his mother,” Bryant said. “As a community, I grieve with our community, but we’re going to allow this investigation to take place.”
The fatal incident occurred in the wee hours of Tuesday. Columbus police said officers had gone to the apartment in question to try and serve a felony warrant.
Body camera footage of the incident shows knocking on the apartment’s front door before they detain a man who answers. The officers also detained a second man they met in the apartment, per WCMH.
The officers are later seen heading towards a door. Anderson, who is seen handling a police dog in the apartment, later opens fire moments after he opens the door. Lewis was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
An investigation into the incident has since been launched by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, police said, per NBC News.
Andre Hill
Lewis’ shooting death comes almost two years after a Columbus police officer was relieved of his duties after he shot and killed an unarmed Black man. The city of Columbus later agreed to pay Hill’s family $10 million to settle a lawsuit over his killing.
Anthony Madu, the 14-year-old Nigerian dancer from Lagos who gained admission to a prestigious ballet…
Actor-host Wayne Brady recently opened up about his early financial struggles in his now thriving…
Mia Arianna, also known as @mia.ariannaa on TikTok, helped her son become an honorary team…
Alvin Gauthier, a Grand Prairie USPS postman, recently went above and beyond to brighten a…
Maj. Gen. Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed is the first female commander of the air force and…
Benjamin E. Mays High School brought together its 272 senior class members for a meeting…
Afrika Owes' emotional response to learning that she had passed the bar exam on her…
A 49-year-old New York attorney was on April 26 sentenced to 10 years in federal…
During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Wednesday, pop legend Cher opened up…
Authorities in Florida said an 11-year-old boy was accidentally shot and killed by his 14-year-old…
The famous Taylor Schlitz family is making headlines once more as the youngest of the…
Sony Pictures Entertainment has appointed Tahra Grant as its Chief Communications Officer. She replaces Robert…
Meet Ashley M. Fox, the founder of Empify and the first in her family to…
Tyra Banks, the iconic former host of Dancing With the Stars, has made a delightful…
A Brazilian woman named Érika de Souza, 42, is under investigation for manslaughter after authorities…