Task Force Investigates Possible Shooting Along I-71

WCMH TV ^ | PDATED: 12:20 PM EST January 22, 2004 | wcmh Channel 4

[Sunshine55]

Neighbors Say They Heard 2 Shots Fired

UPDATED: 12:20 PM EST January 22, 2004

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A car was reportedly shot at early Thursday morning along Interstate 71 in southern Franklin County.

The task force investigating a series of shootings in that region was called to the scene to investigate and recovered shell casings, NewsChannel 4's Kyle Anderson reported.

The alleged shooting took place around 12:30 a.m. underneath the Lambert Road overpass, close to the Franklin-Pickaway county line.

The driver, Michael Thomas, said that he was driving north on I-71 when saw a parked car on the Lambert Road overpass right before two shots were fired. Thomas claimed one of the shots hit his car's hood. The other shot, he said, struck the car's windshield.

Thomas then told authorities that he saw the motorist along the overpass drive away from the scene.

NewsChannel 4's Beth Dal Ponte reported that Thomas continued driving north to a payphone near the U.S. 62/state Route 3 exit and called authorities.

A neighbor said that she heard two shots that were fired at the time of the incident.

There have been 19 shootings connected to the serial shooter or shooters.

[Sunshine55]

ping

[EggsAckley]

bttt

[LadyX]

FYI - keep safe until this maniac has been caught.....

[DollyCali]

Thanks LadyX.. there are too many idiots out there, that is FOR SURE!!!

[Coroner]

Glad they tipped off the shooter that they have shell casings. IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[flutters]

ping

[flutters]

Have you heard anything else about the bullets found at your mom's house?

[Sunshine55]

Not a word, except the bullet wasn't a match. They said her bullet came from a small caliber handgun and she's never heard anything from them again.

[flutters]

I'm not sure if that is good or bad news. Scary to know that someone is out there shooting at houses. I'm just glad your mom didn't get hurt. Columbus is getting wild. I love my job but hate working in the city.

[GOP_1900AD]

I sometimes wonder whether or not the owner of this site has inspired some sort of small scale insurgency attempt. Check out the "Our World" Forum by clicking on the Forums button than the "Our World" text on the forum list. There has recently been some dude in Brazil saying the USA should be exterminated. The reason I mention it is the owner of the forum and its server are located in Columbus.

[Sunshine55]

It's hard for me too now than ever to give my girls their wings. Just last summer we were driving that way to driver's ed classes twice a week. I think we'll be choosing another school for the second one because it doesn't appear that this will be over anytime soon. As parents, we already have enough to worry about without this too!

[flutters]

I sometimes wonder whether or not the owner of this site has inspired some sort of small scale insurgency attempt. Check out the "Our World" Forum by clicking on the Forums button than the "Our World" text on the forum list. There has recently been some dude in Brazil saying the USA should be exterminated. The reason I mention it is the owner of the forum and its server are located in Columbus.

ping

[JustPiper]

How many does this make now?

[ruoflaw]

I guess they have connected 19 of the shootings

[flutters]

19 have been connected, this will make the 20th. I just watched the piece on the news and it sounds like the sniper. The victim said he seen a man standing by his car on an overpass. Immediately after the shooting he got in his car and left.

[ruoflaw]

Thanks, I am surprised that they got the news out right away...I am discusted when they report a connected shooting days after it happened. I hope they catch this guy soon.

[flutters]

The news is reporting another car shooting tonight (Thursday evening) near Georgesville Rd. I'll ping you when I find a print article.

[flutters]

Ping to post 18.

[flutters]

Car reportedly hit by gunfire

Staff Report
WBNS-10TV EYEWITNESS NEWS
© 2002 WBNS-TV, Inc.

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A Columbus Dispatch employee was headed to work to get the printing presses rolling for Friday's edition of the paper when he says someone shot at his vehicle.

He was at Interstate 270 and Georgesville Road on Columbus' southwest side when the gunfire apparently took place. 10TV NightBeat crews spotted four holes in his white sport utility vehicle. The I-270 Highway Shooting Task Force rushed to the scene to investigate.

The exit ramps to Georgesvile Road were shut down as authorities searched the area, searching for clues in the potential shooting.

For the very latest in the investigation, keep it tuned to 10TV Eyewitness News.