JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A fugitive wanted in West Virginia for a federal weapons offense was shot and killed, and an officer was injured by gunfire following a standoff at a motel in Jackson Township on Monday afternoon.
Police held a news conference to discuss the shooting. You can watch in the player below:
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, it happened in the 6800 block of Sunset Strip NW.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force responded to the location where the suspect had barricaded himself in a room after pointing a gun at police. The Canton Regional SWAT Team was called to the scene.
"Task force members gave the fugitive numerous opportunities to surrender, but the fugitive did not comply with officer’s orders and proceeded to barricade inside the room with a firearm," said U.S. Marshals Public Affairs Officer Anne Murphy.
During the confrontation with police, the man opened fire from inside the room out towards police, wounding a SWAT team officer, and another bullet struck a police vehicle, Murphy said. The officer sustained a non-life-threatening injury and was treated at a nearby hospital. Authorities said the officer, later identified as Patrick Lewis, a 9-year veteran of the North Canton Police Department and a Canton Regional SWAT Team sniper, had been shot in the arm.
According to Murphy, "After multiple gunshots were fired from the fugitive at law enforcement, the fugitive was ultimately shot by officers and confirmed deceased on scene."
Murphy said that authorities searched the man's motel room and found two guns as well as multiple shell casings.
U.S. Marshal Pete Elliot said, “Today, this fugitive with an extensive violent criminal history dating back to the 1970s attempted to kill officers on scene during the arrest. Unfortunately, one officer was shot, but all officers on scene responded with professionalism, commitment and dedication to safely resolve the situation."
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-866-4WANTED. Reward money is available.
I-77 and several other local roads were shut down as a result of the standoff but have reopened. The freeway was closed, authorities said, because rounds fired during the confrontation were "headed in that direction."
Elliot said the investigation into the shooting is being handled by Ohio BCI.
A witness account
Kevin Sigler works near the motel and sent News 5 several photos and videos showing law enforcement at the scene.
Sigler said authorities blocked access to his employer’s driveway and told him to lock the doors.
Sigler said, “At first, I thought, you know, just some kind of domestic disturbance. Then I noticed officers with their guns drawn, and that's when I was like, ‘Oh, something's going on,' and then I look over to my left and I see a guy in full tactical gear, and I'm like, ‘Oh, this is kind of starting to get serious here.’”
Sigler said the situation kept escalating.
“Multiple agencies start showing up and then SWAT and people with shields,” Sigler said.
“You did hear several gunshots?” News 5 Anchor Damon Maloney asked Sigler during a Zoom interview.
“Yes. Yeah, yeah when the drone entered there were gun shots,” Sigler said. “Multiple rubber bullets, multiple tear gas fired in and, yeah, a lot of shots.”
The wounded officer
North Canton Police Chief Frank Kemp Jr. said Officer Lewis’ “spirits are up” after being shot and having a successful surgery.
Kemp said the bullet traveled up through Lewis’ forearm and exited in the upper arm area.
“What I'm aware of right now there is optimism that within a couple of months, we'd be able to get him back to light duty. But he still has a surgery or two ahead of him, and the most important thing is for it to heal properly,” the chief said.
Kemp said he’s working to ensure Lewis is cared for physically and mentally, as well as other officers in the department.
“As we've seen through several incidents like this in the past this is where you really see that public safety is a family. And everybody comes out to support the officer,” Kemp said.
Kemp said he was thankful to the other law enforcement agencies and medical personnel who assisted Lewis at the scene and at the hospital.
Kemp said that anytime officers are sent to a call, their goal is to resolve issues peacefully.
“You're trying to de-escalate it but there is a dynamic side to it that the suspect brings that we can't control. We can contain it to the best of our ability based upon the area we're at. But in the end they (suspects) make their own decisions,” Kemp said.
Kemp said Lewis is a “very light-hearted individual who’s just out there to do a positive job.”
In the winter of 2022, Kemp said Lewis rescued an elderly woman going through “emotional challenges,” from a pond in North Canton.
Lewis later received a life-saving award for those actions.
“There wasn't any hesitation to get into that water and get her out to safety,” Kemp said. “He's out there. He enjoys doing the job. He enjoys helping people.”
