OSU wrestler Sammy Sasso was shot during a carjacking, witnesses told Columbus police
Ohio State University wrestler Sammy Sasso was shot and seriously injured Friday during a carjacking, eyewitnesses told Columbus police.
The shooting occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m. in an alley near the 1300 block of North High Street and East 7th Avenue. Police had North Pearl Street between the 7th Avenue Community Baptist Church and an apartment/retail commercial building, across East 7th Avenue from the Short North Kroger store parking lot. entrance, closed off with police crime scene tape after the incident.
Police did not identify the victim, but OSU wrestling coach Tom Ryan released a statement early Saturday afternoon about the incident confirming it was Sasso.
"Ohio State student-athlete Sammy Sasso was the victim of a senseless shooting incident Friday evening in Columbus," Coach Ryan's statement read.
Eyewitnesses told police that Sasso had been trying to run over a rat in his car, a blue 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. When he successfully ran over the rat, he stopped his car and got out to talk to two children, according to a police report.
Two suspects suddenly approached Sasso and one pulled a handgun on him, demanding his vehicle, according to the police report. The gunman shot Sasso before getting into the driver's seat. The other suspect got in the passenger's seat, and the two drove off from the scene.
Bystanders responded to the shooting, administering emergency medical aid, which can be heard in one of multiple 911 calls about the shooting released Monday by Columbus police.
Sasso's car was found abandoned near Easton Way and Sunbury Road early Sunday morning, police said.
Sasso was transported to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center with a critical gunshot wound to his lower abdomen. He has been "steadily improving" since the shooting, he said in a statement he shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"god bless everyone for their support during this time," Sasso wrote. "it's been tough as hell but we are steadily improving. I can't thank everyone enough for being in my corner."
Columbus robbery detectives are involved in the investigation, but police had not identified any suspects, according to a police report also released Monday.
Sasso, a two-time runner-up at the NCAA wrestling championships for Ohio State University, is a fifth-year senior from Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
Sasso, one of nine Buckeyes all-time to earn All-America status for four years, wrapped up his OSU season this year with a string of honors — including two-time Big Ten champion in his weight division, All Big Ten this year and having qualifying for the NCAA wresting tournament four times.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: OSU wrestler Sammy Sasso was shot during a carjacking, police say
