Ohio officer fatally shoots unarmed Black man in bed [Video]

• A police officer fatally shot an unarmed Black man during an arrest in Columbus, Ohio.
• The body cam footage showed Officer Ricky Anderson shooting 20-year-old Donovan Lewis within seconds of spotting him.
• Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant promised “full transparency” and accountability as the investigation continues.

An unarmed Black man was fatally shot this week by a police officer during an arrest in Columbus, Ohio. The shooting is the third officer-involved shooting in the city in eight days.

According to a report from The Columbus Dispatch, several police officers went to an apartment complex in the Hilltop neighborhood at around 2 a.m. on Aug. 30 to arrest 20-year-old Donovan Lewis. Lewis had several outstanding warrants for improper handling of a firearm, assault, domestic violence, and a misdemeanor assault on his girlfriend, who is pregnant with his child.

Police released the body camera footage of the officers making the arrest.

In the footage, several officers can be seen with a K-9 as they searched for Lewis inside the apartment. As they called for Lewis to come out, one of the officers can be heard issuing a warning that they were sending a dog in.

Officer Ricky Anderson, a 30-year veteran assigned to the canine unit, held the barking dog as he opened a closet door. As he opened the next door, which leads to a bedroom, an officer yelled, “Hands!” while the light from a gun shone on Lewis. As Anderson reached through the doorway, he shot Lewis in less than one second.

During a press conference, Columbus Chief of Police Elaine Bryant said that Lewis appeared to be holding a vape pen or electronic cigarette before he was shot.

The device can be seen on the bed as Lewis was put in handcuffs and escorted out of the bedroom. Officers got Lewis out of the building first before attempting to render first aid. Lewis was then transferred to a hospital, where he passed away shortly after arriving.

An external investigation has been launched by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), per the city’s protocol for officer-involved shootings.

Bryant asked the public to trust the process and wait for the results of the investigation, promising “full transparency” and accountability. She stated, “As the chief, it is my job to hold officers accountable, but it is also my job to offer them support and I give that to them through the process.”

Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther mourned “the tragic loss of life,” adding that “a mother has lost her son.” Ginther added, “Transparency, accountability, cooperation — these are our bedrock values. And [they] will inform every step forward. We ask for your patience and grace as we uncover all the facts.”

Source: Aol.com