Columbus Police Release Footage Of Fatal Shooting; no policies violated, says chief

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Columbus Division of Police released dashcam and bodycam video after officers shot and killed a man Monday night during a confrontation on the city's west side.

“From what we saw in the video, no policies were violated,” Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said.

Columbus police said the man was brandishing a “bladed weapon” and heading toward oncoming traffic at the intersection of Sullivant Avenue and Industrial Mile Road.

Police said that when the man charged them with a sharp weapon — refusing to drop it after being ordered to do so in English and Spanish — five officers shot the man, killing him.

The Franklin County coroner identified the man as 35-year-old Noel Hernandez.

CPD says the five officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative assignment while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation examines the shooting.

Investigators are now trying to determine what type of makeshift weapon Hernandez was carrying when he was shot.

“A piece of metal, with a hook, a screw and another screw,” Bryant explained.

Police said officers made contact with Hernández three times in different locations within a half-hour.

The deadly chain of events began at a gas station at Georgesville and Clime Roads when people called 911, reporting a man walking around the parking lot with a gun. Witnesses say that at one point, the man hit the hood of a car with his gun.

When officers showed up, they said they found Hernández in the street holding the gun and refusing commands in English and Spanish to drop it.

Bryant was unable to say whether Hernandez yelled anything at the officers in Spanish or English.

“I can’t verify,” Bryant said. “When the BCI investigation is complete, they will be able to determine that.”

Officials say social workers were not called upon to deescalate the situation because it was deemed too violent. Mental health workers are only brought into a location if it is safe and secure.

During the third and final confrontation on Sullivant Avenue, police say a Taser was deployed twice but did not work properly.

That's when officers say Hernandez charged at them with the makeshift weapon, despite orders in Spanish and English to put their hands up and drop the weapon.

The officers then shot Hernandez, killing him.

“When an officer responds to a scene, they are faced with a threat to what they are facing,” Bryant said. “A threat to themselves or anyone else.”

Columbus police said officers came into contact with Hernandez hours earlier at his home when neighbors requested a well-being check.

It was determined, police said, that Hernandez did not pose a threat, and a referral was sent to the city's Mobile Crisis Unit for follow-up.