When police shot a 16-year-old homicide suspect yesterday afternoon, chaos broke out on Columbus’ streets. When a dispute with police at a Northeast Side apartment complex resulted in gunshots, Ricardo Ramirez, who was being watched by police for his suspected role in the fatal shooting of a 39-year-old man during a car break-in the night before, was under surveillance.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that SWAT and plainclothes cops tried to halt the car Ramirez was driving when the incident occurred at the Cooper Colony Townhomes. Ramirez was shot close to the 6000 block of Cooper Colony Drive when he was running with a firearm. Later, he was admitted to the hospital in a stable but potentially fatal state.
Police had earlier that day connected Ramirez to Alejandro Lopez-Lechuga’s shooting death after the adolescent allegedly confronted him during an attempted car break-in. “The involvement of a 16-year-old in a homicide is heartbreaking,” Sgt. Joe Albert told The Columbus Dispatch. In relation to Lopez-Luchanga’s death, Ramirez has been charged with juvenile murder; he may also be prosecuted with other offenses because of the circumstances that led to his hospitalization.
In an interview with NBC4i, Sgt. James Fuqua stated that several policemen were let go during the event. As is customary in city shootings involving officers, the investigation is being led by Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Albert said, “We couldn’t just watch him more, let him get out of his vehicle with the rifle in his possession and just walked on the sidewalk,” highlighting the seriousness of the incident and the police’ well-trained reaction.
Elaine Bryant, the chief of police for the Columbus Division, was among the officials present at the scene of the incident, and more information keeps coming to light. As the community struggles with the violence that has occurred, Ramirez’s prognosis continues to be a major concern. As investigations continue and concerns regarding the use of police force persist, Lopez-Lechuga’s family is left to grieve. According to ABC6, Albert declared, “This individual was extremely dangerous,” echoing the sense of fear and determination that pervaded Columbus’ streets.
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