The Ohio Bureau of Legal Investigation is investigating the killing of a 20-year-old Black man who was shot by police this week whereas mendacity in his mattress. Newly launched physique digicam footage of the deadly encounter reveals Donovan Lewis appeared to have one thing in his hand that police later recommended might have been a vape pen.
On Tuesday, a Columbus Okay-9 unit arrived on the residence of Donovan Lewis, who was accused of punching and shoving his pregnant girlfriend and had a number of excellent warrants, together with for a felony cost for the improper dealing with of a firearm, in line with CBS affiliate WBNS-TV.
"Donovan, in the event you do not come to the door, I'll kick it in," an officer is heard saying within the physique digicam video.
After coming into the residence, the police canine alerted officers that somebody was in a again bed room. Instantly after opening the bed room door, a flashlight shined onto Lewis, who was mendacity on a mattress.
Officer Ricky Anderson — a 30-year veteran on the power — then fired one shot, putting Lewis earlier than holstering his gun. Officers then yelled at Lewis to crawl out of the room, and when he didn't, they entered the bed room and handcuffed him.
A minimum of three officers then carried Lewis out by his legs and arms and ultimately positioned him on the bottom of the condominium complicated. One of many officers started to carry out CPR on Lewis till an ambulance arrived and took him to a hospital, the place he died lower than an hour later.
Columbus police chief Elaine Bryant stated Lewis gave the impression to be holding a vape pen and no weapon was discovered. Anderson has since been positioned on paid depart, in line with Bryant, which is frequent protocol.
The deadly incident has sparked outrage locally.
Rex Elliot, an lawyer for Lewis' household, known as the taking pictures "extreme and fully pointless." Stephanie Hightower, president and CEO of the Columbus City League, stated the launched physique digicam video was "disturbing," "gut-wrenching" and "heartbreaking," in line with WBNS-TV.
"We're all ready now the place it is not about being offended, nevertheless it's about how will we stack fingers and discover options," Hightower stated.