Task Force Investigates Separate Reports
POSTED: 11:36 PM EST January 22, 2004
UPDATED: 7:01 AM EST January 23, 2004
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The task force investigating a series of shootings in southern Franklin County responded to three reports of gunfire late Thursday and early Friday.
The first shooting took place Thursday night at around 10 p.m. at the Interstate 270 exit ramp onto Georgesville Road, NewsChannel 4 reported.
Bullets reportedly struck a sport utility vehicle at least four times while the driver was on his way to work at the Columbus Dispatch printing facility.
The victim, who drove to work and then notified authorities, reportedly said that the bullets might have come from a white Pontiac Bonneville.
The driver was not hurt.
Investigators gathered evidence late Thursday night.
The next report of gunfire occurred at 12:15 a.m. Friday along Ivy Brush Court, near Hall Road and I-270. NewsChannel 4's Kyle Anderson reported that several 911 calls were placed, indicating there were reports of gunfire.
Shell casings were reportedly recovered in the street, Anderson reported.
Around 2 a.m., Whitehall police attempted to stop a white-colored Pontiac Bonneville but the driver of the car refused to pull over. The car eventually stopped at Livingston Avenue and Hamilton Road and the two men inside the car ran away, Anderson reported.
One of the men was taken into custody. Anderson reported that several weapons were found inside the vehicle. The task force was investigating whether the same vehicle was used in Thursday night's reported shooting in southwest Columbus.
Meanwhile, the serial shooting task force on Thursday investigated another shooting, this time along Interstate 71 near Lambert Road. For more on that story, click here.
There is no word on whether these shootings are linked to the serial shootings along the city's south outerbelt.
Fingers crossed