Authorities Investigate Incident
UPDATED: 5:50 PM EST December 12, 2003
OBETZ, Ohio -- Employees at the Rite Rug corporate headquarters on the city's west side said Friday that they found bullet holes in a delivery van, NewsChannel 4's Nancy Burton reported.
Columbus police confirmed that two of the holes came from a bullet and that a third hole was somewhat questionable, Burton reported.
The driver of the van travels the south outerbelt where the serial shootings have occurred.
"He was on the south outerbelt with this particular vehicle yesterday morning and this morning," said Mike Nelson, vice president of operations for Rite Rug. "We can't say for sure (if the shooting happened Thursday or Friday). We just discovered the holes when the truck came back from that route today."
Chief Deputy Steve Martin of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office said he was not aware of the alleged shooting incident, but that did not mean other investigators were not checking on the report.
"Every day, reports of shots fired in and around the Columbus area occur with some regularity," Martin said. "As in most larger cities, this is not an unusual occurence. We believe we are hearing about these incidents from the public more now because of the sensitivity to the investigation."
Martin said the reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of a suspect or suspects in the death of Gail Knisley was increased to $30,000.
He said no new ballistic matches to the bullet that killed Knisley were made. The number of matches stands at six. The number of shootings connected to the serial shooter or shooters remains at 15.
Anyone with information in the shootings should call the shooting tip line at (614) 462-4646.
ODOT Employees Find Gun
Two Ohio Department of Transportation employees were placed on administrative leave Friday pending an investigation after they allegedly found a gun Sunday near Interstate 270.
Jimmie Gaines and Chris Chesser allegedly found a Jennings .38-caliber handgun in the grass at the West Broad Street exit off I-270 South, Burton reported. The men allegedly handled and unloaded the weapon Sunday and then placed it in a glove compartment of an ODOT truck. The gun was not reported to the Ohio Highway Patrol until Tuesday.
"This is unacceptable and egregious behavior that defies our policies and common sense," ODOT Director Gordon Proctor said. "Pending the outcome of our investigation, these employees face serious disciplinary consequences, up to and including dismissal."
Martin said he is not sure what role, if any, the handgun will play in the serial shootings investigation.
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