Man wielding ‘edged weapon’ killed by police after west Columbus pursuit
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A man wielding an “edged weapon” led police on a pursuit in west Columbus before being shot and killed late Monday night.
At 11:15 p.m. Monday, Columbus police responded to multiple calls which reported a man was threatening people with a knife in his hand. Officers arrived at the intersection of Georgesville Road and Clime Road, in the Georgian Heights neighborhood, and located a man standing outside a vehicle. Police said the man was holding an “edged weapon” while in the middle of the intersection.
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The officers gave commands in both English and Spanish to 35-year-old Noel Hernandez, directing him to show his hands, but those commands were ignored. Hernandez reportedly got back in his vehicle and drove away. Police followed him at a slow speed in the neighborhood, heading northbound on Georgesville Road.
Police said Hernandez got out of his vehicle twice, once after turning westbound on Sullivant Avenue and again at the intersection of Sullivant Ave. and Industrial Mile Road. Both times he was allegedly holding the weapon.
While standing on Sullivant Ave. and Industrial Mile Road, Hernandez began walking towards traffic while holding the weapon in his hand. Police said commands were ignored again and they deployed a taser at him, though that proved unsuccessful.
Shortly after the suspect turned towards the officers and charged at them. Police said multiple officers discharged their firearms, striking Hernandez. Medics transported him to Doctor’s West Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:49 p.m. and positively identified via fingerprints by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Columbus police and BCI investigate a shooting in which police killed a man who was wielding an “edged weapon” on Sullivant Avenue in west Columbus, June 10, 2024. (NBC4) Columbus police and BCI investigate a shooting in which police killed a man who was wielding an “edged weapon” on Sullivant Avenue in west Columbus, June 10, 2024. (NBC4)
Police said they tried to take non-lethal measures to stop Hernandez before firing their weapons.
“One officer deployed their taser on the male (but) it did not have the desired effect on the male,” Sergeant Joe Albert said. “At that time the male turned around and charged at officers with the edged weapon in his hand. Multiple officers discharged their firearms, striking the male.”
No officers were injured during the shooting and as with all officer-involved shootings, the Ohio BCI is leading the investigation.
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