On Monday, Columbus police released body worn camera footage that shows how police responded to reported gunshots reported near a South Side pool and recreation center last Wednesday afternoon.
A Columbus police officer shot and injured a 16-year-old male who is now charged with carrying a concealed weapon, tampering with evidence and obstructing official business. A 15-year-old male who fled the scene was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, receiving stolen property, tampering with evidence and obstructing official business.
Video from the perspectives of multiple police officers shows how the scene unfolded.
One officer was working special duty at the Lincoln Park pool on June 11 when she heard several gunshots ring out. The officer immediately reacted, jumping up and telling the adults and children at the pool to take cover as she investigated the shots.
Police searched the area and located several shell casings in the area of South 18th Street and East Morrill Avenue.
Video from another Columbus police officer on a bike showed him riding to the front parking lot of the Barack Community Center near the pool and spotting three teens. They matched a description given of the three teens, between the ages of 14 and 16, a witness said were involved in the gunshots.
The officer rode his bike to the parking lot, got off his bike, drew his weapon and yelled "hands" when he saw the three young men. One officer to the left also approached with his gun drawn.
As the two officers approached, one of the teens ran away and the second officer chased him. The other two teens remained in the parking lot near a Jeep Wrangler.
The officer told the two teens not to move and to get on the ground multiple times.
The teen closest to him immediately complied. The other teen circled the Jeep before crouching to the ground and turning toward the officer.
The officer, who police are not naming, shot at the teen three times. The teen was later treated at a police vehicle for gunshots to his leg and upper arm. Police officers applied a tourniquet to his arm and leg.
The officer said the teen had a gun, or "33," which he said was under the Jeep. The gun cannot be seen in the video.
Police later recovered a gun from the scene they say the teen had in his possession.
During that exchange, two people were inside the Jeep. Neither of the occupants or any of the police officers were injured.
The other teen that stayed at the scene and complied had a BB gun, according to police. That teen was not charged.
Police dash camera and body camera video from other officers show the chase that ensued when the third teen fled the scene. The teen was caught and arrested in a marshy ditch area behind the pool by about a dozen officers.
One officer drove his patrol car into the ditch while attempting to catch the teen.
Police say the teen threw a gun over the fence of the pool as he fled that police say officers recovered. Officials say that gun was reported stolen in February.
Body camera video shows police finding a gun near the pool's yellow slide.
The shooting is being investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
