07/18/12 Columbus, OH – Burglary In Progress – One Shot Dead – 2nd Suspect Steals Police Car – Shots Fired At Police Car – Crash – Chase

July 18, 2012

nbc4i.com

A man is in custody and another man is dead after two police-involved shootings within hours on the city’s east side Tuesday afternoon.

The first shooting occurred after a 911 call was received regarding a burglary in progress at an apartment in the 7200 block of Brooke Blvd. at about 8:45 a.m. Tuesday.

According to police, the 911 dispatcher heard a discussion, a gunshot, and men yelling, “We gotta go!”

Columbus police Sgt. Rich Weiner said that officers were at the scene when the burglary suspects exited the apartment. According to police, the resident, who police later identified as 21-year-old Destin Thomas, also came outside, armed with a gun.

Thomas had a confrontation with a police officer, who fired one gunshot.

Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is not known if Thomas was struck by the officer’s gunfire or if he was shot while inside the apartment.

Officers began searching the area for two suspects who were seen running from the apartment.

About five hours later, a police officer in the area of Prendergast Place, near the site of the initial shooting, noticed two men who matched the description of the suspects, and began talking to them.

Police said the suspects split up, and one of them took off in the officer’s cruiser along Tussing Road.

According to police, the officer fired shots at the suspect, shattering the rear window of the cruiser.

The suspect allegedly crashed the stolen cruiser into air conditioning units at an apartment complex at Tussing and Hines roads, and ran from the vehicle on foot.

A witness told NBC4 that the suspect jumped from a balcony at the apartment complex.

NBC4 crews witnessed the suspect being taken into custody a short time later.

The suspect was transported to Grant Medical Center in stable condition.

Police said they are checking surveillance video from a nearby business that caught someone on camera who was behaving in a suspicious manner. They are also collecting cruiser dash camera video.

No officers were injured in the shooting.