MADISON COUNTY, Ohio (WSYX) — A man suspected of leaving the scene after firing multiple gunshots at an Amazon fulfillment center Sunday died following a confrontation with Columbus police a short time later.
The Amazon shooting happened at the facility in the 6400 block of State Route 29 Northeast in West Jefferson at about 4:45 p.m. By the time officers from multiple agencies had arrived, the man, an employee at that facility, had left and was at large.
Then, about 90 minutes later, officers found that person, who has not been named, in the area of Georgesville and Clime roads.
A Columbus police dispatcher confirmed to ABC 6 that the man fired at least one shot that struck a CPD officer. That dispatcher also said at about 6:50 p.m. that the suspected Amazon shooter was in critical condition at Doctors West Hospital, and then about 10 minutes later confirmed that the man had died.
The dispatcher initially could not confirm if he had been shot by an officer, but later Sunday night, FOP President Brian Steel confirmed to ABC 6 that officers did fire back at the man.
The injured officer, who also has not been released, was listed as stable at Grant Medical Center, the dispatcher confirmed to ABC 6.
"The officer's doing good, by the grace of God," Steel said outside Grant Medical Center late Sunday night.
Steel added that the officer's bulletproof vest likely saved the officer's life.
"We're talking half an inch to one side or to the other ... we're in a different story right now," he said. "That officer is going home to his family and to us, the men and women of the Fraternal Order of Police."
No injuries were reported at Amazon, but West Jefferson Police Chief Brandon Smith told Karli VanCleave at about 6:25 p.m. that "there were bullet holes on front entry and the glass. (The shooter) didn't go any further than the front area of the building."
Multiple agencies responded to the incident, and upon arrival, saw employees already being evacuated.
A witness at the Georgesville-Clime scene brought up Sunday's holiday while lamenting the violence.
"There has to be a reason why ... why?" he asked. "This is not supposed to happen on a day for mothers."
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