Jerry D. Smith dies in fatal Columbus police shooting

Jerry D. Smith dies in fatal Columbus police shooting

Fatal Columbus police shooting death of Jerry D. Smith – Obituary

Jerry D. Smith, 37, was shot and killed by Columbus police officers during a SWAT standoff on May 18 at an apartment complex on Hampton Woods Court in the Easton Ridge area.

The standoff began after officers responded to a 911 call reporting domestic violence, with a neighbor claiming Smith was attacking a woman and threatening her life. When officers arrived, they learned Smith was holding the woman hostage and called in the SWAT team and crisis negotiators around 10 p.m.

Authorities say Smith fired at officers from inside the apartment. Despite negotiations, he emerged just before midnight holding a gun and the hostage. When he raised the weapon, officers opened fire. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman managed to escape and was taken to the hospital for treatment related to the earlier assault.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations is handling the case. Names of the officers involved have not been disclosed under Marsy’s Law, though it was noted they each have over two decades of service.