FBI agent critically injures man in Wednesday morning shooting on the Hilltop

Bethany Bruner, The Columbus Dispatch
·2 min read
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The scene Wednesday morning near the corner of Vida Place and Racine Avenue. A shooting involving an FBI agent was being investigated on the 500 block of Racine Avenue in the city's Hilltop neighborhood Wednesday morning.
The scene Wednesday morning near the corner of Vida Place and Racine Avenue. A shooting involving an FBI agent was being investigated on the 500 block of Racine Avenue in the city's Hilltop neighborhood Wednesday morning.

A shooting involving an FBI agent who critically wounded a man Wednesday morning on the 500 block of Racine Avenue in the city's Hilltop neighborhood remains under investigation.

The shooting occurred around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday during an investigation by FBI agents, the FBI confirmed through a spokesman.

A man at the two-story duplex was injured in the shooting and taken to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in critical condition by Columbus paramedics. That individual has not been identified.

A neighbor near the scene said they had seen a man with a long gun that appeared to be pointing it at law enforcement, but it was not clear if that was connected to the incident. Several neighbors reported hearing booms around 10:30 am.

Columbus police said their officers were not involved in the shooting but helped to hold the scene for investigators from the FBI that will lead the probe into the shooting. Todd Lindgren, a spokesperson for the FBI, said the agency's Inspection Division will conduct the investigation.

The investigation was focused on a two-story duplex with an upstairs unit accessible from the home's rear.

An FBI agent walks outside a house on Racine Avenue after a shooting occurred at the property earlier Wednesday morning.
An FBI agent walks outside a house on Racine Avenue after a shooting occurred at the property earlier Wednesday morning.

A tactical vehicle was visible in the backyard of the home, and the investigation appeared to be focused on the back of the home. A white Mercedes cargo van with flashing red and blue lights was parked in the alleyway behind the home near several officers in camouflage and tactical gear with FBI on their uniforms.

The FBI has not yet commented on what occurred, and the agent involved in the shooting has not been identified.

Franklin County Auditor records show the home is a rental property. At least one witness was taken to the FBI's Columbus offices to be interviewed.

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Police shooting investigation in Hilltop, possibly involving FBI