The Columbus Division of Police has released body camera footage from a standoff that resulted in the death of 21-year-old Asante Taaj Omar Miller. The incident took place near Ohio State University’s south campus on August 10, 2024.
According to the police, officers responded to a burglary report at a residence on Worthington Street at approximately 8:00 a.m. Upon arrival, the suspect, identified as Miller, fled the scene. Officers pursued Miller, who was reportedly armed.
Shortly after, the Columbus Police received further information indicating that Miller had entered another home on West 8th Avenue.
Body camera footage shows officers searching this residence when they encountered Miller, who began firing at them.
The officers returned fire and retreated from the home. A barricade was established and remained in place for nearly five hours.
During the standoff, Miller was seen with a weapon and was actively trying to evade capture. After a prolonged search, officers found Miller inside a different residence.
Miller was reportedly running away when officers engaged him again. He was later discovered deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. It remains unclear whether Miller was shot by police.
The Columbus Division of Police provided the following details in their press release [1]:
“On Sunday, August 11, 2024, at approximately 8:00 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Worthington Street for a burglary in progress.
Initial reports indicated that the suspect was inside the residence with a firearm. A resident contacted the police to report the incident.
When officers arrived, the suspect fled the scene.
Officers subsequently located the suspect nearby, who was armed. Despite multiple verbal commands to drop his firearm, the suspect refused to comply, leading officers to discharge their weapons.
The suspect attempted to evade capture by entering another residence in the 100 block of West 8th Avenue.
Officers searching the residence encountered the suspect hiding in a room, which led to additional gunfire.
The suspect was later found deceased inside the residence. The suspect has been identified as Asante Taaj Omar Miller. Notifications have been made to the next of kin. No officers were injured during the incident.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting an investigation into the officer-involved shooting by the Columbus Police Department.”
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Miller’s death is ongoing.
Original article below:
An active shooter engaged [2] with SWAT teams during a standoff in Columbus, Ohio, today.
The incident is unfolding near West 8th Avenue following reports of gunfire in the area.
Dozens of police cars are here on Neil avenue. Officers right now aren’t saying much pic.twitter.com/O1v89zYviB [3]
— Jeremiah Wilcox (@WilcoxReports) August 11, 2024 [4]
One neighbor says they heard 5 gun shots. Franklin county sheriff just arrived on scene pic.twitter.com/UbGhHckqM7 [5]
— Jeremiah Wilcox (@WilcoxReports) August 11, 2024 [6]
SWAT is here pic.twitter.com/5Lz0UXdaux [7]
— Jeremiah Wilcox (@WilcoxReports) August 11, 2024 [8]
Law enforcement, including K9 units and SWAT teams, has responded to the scene.
The shooter has fired at officers, though there are no confirmed reports of injuries at this time.
Photographs from the scene show a significant police presence, with ABC 6 noting that 16 police vehicles were dispatched.
Police scanners indicate that multiple apartment buildings have been evacuated as the situation continues.
A dispatcher reported that a 911 call was received regarding a breaking and entering in the University District, with shots fired into an apartment by a suspect.
Upon arrival, officers observed the suspect reloading his weapon before barricading himself in the area.
The dispatcher also confirmed that the suspect and police exchanged gunfire twice, but no injuries have been reported.