The Newcomerstown police officer who said he was shot last week, sparking a search for his shooters, fabricated his story, according to the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office.
The officer, Bryan Eubanks who injured himself during failed suicide attempt, has been fired, according to Newcomerstown police chief.
RELATED: Officer shot in Newcomerstown, police looking for suspects
Newcomerstown police chief tells me that officer that fabricated story about getting shot has been fired. pic.twitter.com/qPkrw7HWuN
— Mona Kosar Abdi (@MonaAbdiWEWS) April 19, 2017
On April 11, the officer claimed he was shot by individuals in a black Geo Tracker whom he reported he had pursued up Johnson Hill Road.
The Ohio Attorney General's Office even named a suspect, who was later cleared.
After the shooting, Eubanks spoke to reporters saying: "I'm very thankful. God has blessed me today. He was definitely on my side. Could have turned out way worse."
Witnesses said although a police cruiser did drive up the hill, no other vehicle had been seen. Investigators then gathered other evidence that contradicted Eubanks' story.
During questioning, the officer indicated he made up the story after a failed suicide attempt.
Authorities say there are still a lot of questions remaining about the exact details of what happened, as the details he gave are not consistent with his injuries.
Eubanks was released to family so that he could receive medical care "related to his state of mind," according to the sheriff's office.
