Grand jury: No criminal charges for Columbus police officer in second nonfatal shooting
A Franklin County grand jury has decided not to bring criminal charges against a Columbus police officer who shot a fleeing suspect in the back in February following a traffic stop — the officer's second nonfatal shooting in about six months.
Officer Joshua Ohlinger shot 66-year-old Michael L. Cleveland just as Cleveland threw his gun to the ground while running away, body camera footage shows. Cleveland was critically injured, but he survived.
The Franklin County Prosecutor's Office announced late Friday afternoon the grand jury's decision not to indict, or "no bill," Ohlinger on any charges.
Body camera video shows Ohlinger attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the afternoon of Feb. 5 in the 1000 block of Wilson Avenue on the South Side, but Cleveland did not pull over. Cleveland eventually pulled his black pickup truck over in an alley behind some residences, exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Ohlinger chased Cleveland, who pulled out a gun while continuing to run away. The officer ordered him to stop and put his hands up.
In the video, Cleveland appears to throw a firearm aside as Ohlinger fires his weapon at Cleveland's back six times, striking Cleveland three times.
Beyond Cleveland when Ohlinger fired was a group of people on Wilson Avenue participating in a faith-led march against violence. None of them was struck.
The incident was the second shooting during a traffic stop in a six-month period by Ohlinger, a five-year member of the force. A different grand jury in August decided not to indict Ohlinger for that shooting, which took place in August 2022.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, part of the Ohio Attorney General's Office, investigated both shootings and turned over evidence to Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack's office, who presented the incidents to the grand juries for consideration of charges as has been the practice for many years.
Sean Walton, Cleveland’s attorney, told The Dispatch on Friday that Cleveland is still recovering from his injuries eight months later and it’s still uncertain if he will ever walk again.
Walton said he’s disappointed by the lack of an indictment.
“But it’s not unexpected. Indictments against officers are rare even when warranted,” Walton said. “But just because there were no criminal charges brought, does not mean we can’t still hold them accountable in the civil justice system.”
Walton said Cleveland and his family will consider filing a lawsuit against Ohlinger, as well as the Columbus Division of Police and the city.
jlaird@dispatch.com
@LairdWrites
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Grand jury: No charges for Columbus officer who shot fleeing armed man
