Posted on 01/01/2009 5:05:09 PM PST by buccaneer81
3 celebrating with guns shot by police in 3 incidents Thursday, January 1, 2009 7:46 PM By Kevin Mayhood The Columbus Dispatch Like cowboys whooping it up, central Ohioans celebrated another new year with guns blazing in the air.
But for the first time, Columbus police shot revelers who they said refused to drop their weapons.
Three people, all involved in separate incidents, were treated at area hospitals, though none suffered a life-threatening injury.
"We've never had three police-involved shootings in one night before," said Sgt. Jeff Sacksteder, of the Columbus Police Division's cold-case squad. Sacksteder and a host of others were called in because of all the action on New Year's Eve.
Shooting a gun within city limits is illegal. Police responded to hundreds of calls of shots fired late Wednesday and early today.
A breakdown of calls wasn't available yesterday, but police said they were called to about 400 incidents in just one hour today - between midnight and 1 a.m.
"There was more gunfire in the city of Columbus last night than in Iraq," said Sgt. Jim Gilbert, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9.
Gilbert said charges "absolutely" would be filed against those who were shot.
Police have not released the names of the officers involved nor the injured. An internal investigation occurs with all police shootings.
In each case, police say a person ignored repeated orders to drop a gun before an officer fired.
The first incident occurred on the East Side about 11:50 p.m. New Year's Eve. Police said an officer shot a man in the leg in front of 1490 Elaine Rd., Apt. C.
A second man was shot in the hand by police minutes later in South Linden on the back porch of 1046 E. 16th Ave., police said.
Both men were treated at Grant Medical Center.
A woman was shot in the arm in front of 457 Cherry Dr. in Franklinton, shortly after 2 this morning, police said. Police said she was in a group of people in which one person was firing an automatic rifle into the air.
She was treated at Mount Carmel West.
Police have dealt with guns being fired on New Year's Eve for years, but this might have been the first time an officer has fired at a shooter. Police said they couldn't remember another time it's happened.
Gilbert said that when officers go out on a call of shots fired, they have their guns drawn as they approach suspected shooters. Police will fire if they fear for themselves or someone else, he said.
"It's a split-second decision," Gilbert said.
He said that officers have become so concerned about bullets raining down on New Year's Eve that they try to find a building with a heavy overhang to stand under around midnight.
In the past, revelers with guns have killed others.
Angela Hughes, 16, died and her grandmother, Phyllis Sanders, was injured early on New Year's Day in 2005 when bullets were fired into their S. Champion Avenue home, striking them in the kitchen.
A drunken neighbor, Damion Hayes, 27, had fired out of his second-story window in celebration. Hayes is serving an eight-year prison sentence.
Eleven-year-old Glennda Chaffin was killed 20 minutes into 1994 when the shotgun her father was firing into the air on the South Side exploded.
Guns also were fired outside the city Wednesday night. The Franklin County sheriff's office received 17 calls, a dispatcher said.
In Lancaster, shots rang out to ring in the new year, too.
It happens every year, although police certainly frown on the practice, Lancaster Police Capt. Dan Patten said. "It's usually one round or two. You can't tell where it's coming from."
The Fairfield County sheriff's office received a few calls from people reporting gunshots fired around midnight, a pattern that happens every year, a dispatcher said.
Dispatch reporter Mary Beth Lane contributed to this story.
Still doesn’t stop the freakin idiots though....kept it up until 1:00 last night, jerks
In Texas the Hispanics (for the most part) have always done this and expected everyone to look at it as acceptable, a “cultural thing” don’t you see. For awhile the PDs ignored our calls then we threatened suit for not enforcing code/ordinances on Christmas Eve/New Year’s Eve discharging of firearms within city limits and I’m talking about neighborhoods here.
I think they were scared, too bad. They finally started taking action and gee, guess what, sure is a lot quieter and safer without that nonsense. Ricochets have been known to penetrate other houses (duh!) and there have been incidents of wounding others in our area from ricochets. Of course, golly gee, who knew where it came from??
If they were Buckeye fans, then I approve! bunch of scumbag arrogant pricks many buckeye fans are. They are our version of islamofacists.
Same in the Mid-Atlantic area.
I know a woman whose son was killed this way. Let them tell her about it being harmless.
Sounds like a very poorly trained police department.
Not a single shot appears to have been on target.
Last night: Gunfire Warnings Ignored In Mobile
You'd think they'd have quit when the Po-lice showed up.
..one person was firing an automatic rifle into the air.
I'd bet that it wasn't a automatic rifle, but what the heck, it sounds good, go with it.
On New Year’s Eve of 1951, my father was walking his beat on Hastings in Detroit. He told reporters that he felt like someone hit him across the back with a Louisville Slugger. One of the celebrants fired his .22 down an alley, and Thank God, dad was wearing his Detroit Police Department issue winter coat. Its thickness absorbed the round and he was released from the hospital. He was Detroit’s first casualty that year.
Shotguns are best for shooting into the air....
I was out by 10:00, I usually hear the fireworks from downtown - not last night.
What part of town are you in? I'm in the north west, approx Craig & Dec.
He was Detroit’s first casualty that year.
He was not killed?
This kind of nonsense give all gun owners a bad name! It will surely give the Brady Bunch a lot of ammo!
Sounds like ya have a very smart chief !
Good Deal !
Death shall not be misrepresented...
I am one of a large minority of central Ohioans who cannot stand ANYTHING Ohio State. Arrogant is right. They even tried to keep the NHL Blue Jackets from setting up here. And OSU tries to dictate Columbus city policies all the time.
As they say at Michigan State, "Oh How I Hate Ohio State!"
These idiots didn't buy their weapons at Cabela's. Most likely out of back of an Escalade.
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