Around 10:30 p.m., Trooper Michael Williams from the Hamilton Post attempted to stop a 2015 Chrysler 300 on state Route 73 in the area of Route 4 for a speed violation when the driver failed to stop, according to investigators.
Williams initiated a short pursuit, but once speeds were high and the driver almost lost control and crashed, the pursuit was terminated, Cvetan said.
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A short time later after the driver slowed down, Williams attempted to stop him again. The male’s vehicle then became disabled and he fled on foot.
Williams engaged in a short foot chase before deploying his taser. Marion then engaged the trooper, who fired two rounds, striking the suspect, troopers said.
“At this point we have not found that the suspect had a weapon, but we do know that the suspect engaged that trooper,” Cvetan said.
Middletown police responded to assist in securing the scene as the state patrol did its investigation. The office did receive a call to assist with the attempted traffic stop, but the incident ended quickly.
“Before the officers could even exit the squad room, it was already done,” said Middletown police Maj. David Birk.
Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said the facts will be presented to a grand jury, as they are for all law enforcement-involved shootings.
Middletown resident April Banta said the shooting took place near her home, and that she believed the person shot had gotten out of a vehicle.
“I heard two shots, within 30 seconds I came outside. I seen 12 cop cars in front of me, I look over, there was a man laying on the ground one house away from me,” she said. “I’ve never seen anything like this on my street.”
Williams was transported with non-life threatening injuries to UC West Chester.
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A passenger in the suspect’s vehicle was transported to a hospital for a medical condition unrelated to the incident, Cvetan said.
It’s unknown where Marion was struck or if any drugs or alcohol were involved at this time.
“One important thing to remember out of this is that if a law enforcement officer is stopping you, it’s important that you stop for that officer,” Cvetan said. “When you don’t stop, you resist arrest or a pursuit happens, that’s something that’s a danger to the public so what we need people to do is just stop when officers activate their lights.”
This incident remains under investigation.
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