Tayshawn Davis dies in fatal Columbus shooting
Fatal Columbus shooting death of Tayshawn Davis
Recent footage from officers’ cameras captures the events before a tragic police shooting in the University District early Sunday morning. The incident resulted in the death of an 18-year-old man identified as Tayshawn Davis near East 8th Avenue and North Pearl Street.
Columbus police were in the area responding to reports of a potential robbery when the shooting occurred. According to police, they arrived to find several individuals and a group of young people. Some ran when officers arrived.
A sergeant was stopped by two people who reported seeing someone with a gray hoodie brandishing a weapon. The sergeant pursued an individual matching that description, eventually confronting Tayshawn Davis, according to police reports.
Davis is said to have fled on foot after being told to stop. The officer’s camera shows the sergeant giving commands before firing his weapon. The video does not show the moment of the actual shooting, but it captures a weapon near Davis’s arm afterward.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant viewed the incident footage and described it as a tragic situation. She emphasized that this outcome was not desired.
“This is never the desired result,” Bryant stated. “It’s certainly tragic.”
The chief also stressed that officers are committed to community safety and do not enter situations requiring lethal force lightly.
“My initial reaction is that it is unfortunate,” Bryant mentioned. “It’s unfortunate that we have a situation where a young man with a gun targeted two individuals. It’s unfortunate that this sergeant had to take action, and this person lost their life.”
Brian Steel, representing the department, noted that public questions about the situation are expected. He cited established legal precedents supporting the officer’s actions when dealing with a fleeing suspect.
“Members of the community will ask why an officer shot a suspect in the back as they were running away,” Steel explained. “Legal precedent permits it. The key factors are: What was the severity of the crime? Was the suspect fleeing or resisting? And did the officer have a reasonable belief that their life was in danger?”
