Columbus Police: Armed Man Shot by Officer After Fleeing Traffic Stop on Southeast Side
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A tense traffic stop on the city’s southeast side escalated into an officer-involved shooting Friday evening, leaving a suspect hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident unfolded in the 1400 block of Burstock Road, where police say a man armed with a gun pointed his weapon at an officer during a foot chase.
Incident Details
According to Columbus Division of Police Sgt. James Fuqua, the situation began just after 5 p.m. when two officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop near Burstock Road and Frebis Avenue. The driver refused to pull over, leading officers to follow the vehicle to Burstock Road, where the encounter escalated.
Fuqua said the suspect exited the vehicle while holding a firearm and immediately fled on foot. Officers gave multiple commands for him to stop and drop the weapon, but the man continued running, reportedly heading in the direction of a family member’s residence.
One officer pursued the suspect and again ordered him to drop the gun. At one point, the suspect turned toward the officer with the firearm still in his hand. While investigators do not believe the man fired his weapon, Fuqua said the suspect pointed the gun at the pursuing officer.
At that moment, the officer fired multiple rounds, striking the suspect.
Aftermath and Recovery
The suspect was transported to Grant Medical Center, where he remains in stable condition with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. No officers or civilians were injured during the incident. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
A passenger in the suspect’s vehicle complied with officers and was not injured.
Police Statement
In a press conference, Sgt. Fuqua emphasized the importance of compliance during traffic stops to avoid dangerous outcomes.
“I cannot stress enough how important it is when you are in a traffic stop and an officer pulls you over to stay in that vehicle and to listen to commands,” Fuqua said. “This situation could have easily been avoided, but unfortunately the suspect’s actions forced that officer to take action.”
Fuqua added that officers believed the suspect was attempting to reach a nearby family member’s home, which added urgency to the situation.
Investigation Underway
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Force Investigation and Crime Scene units responded to process the scene. Standard protocol requires a full review of officer-involved shootings, including interviews, forensic analysis, and body-worn camera footage, if available.
As part of the investigation, Burstock Road was temporarily closed while evidence was collected.
Community Impact
The shooting has drawn attention across Columbus, where officer-involved incidents continue to raise questions about public safety, compliance, and police use of force. Community members expressed relief that no bystanders were harmed but acknowledged concern over the violent confrontation in a residential neighborhood.
Moving Forward
The name of the suspect has not yet been released, pending further investigation. The officer involved will be placed on administrative leave, consistent with department policy, while state investigators review the circumstances surrounding the use of force.
Authorities have pledged transparency as details emerge, noting that more information will be released once the investigation progresses.
