By Natalie Morales
Dayton Daily News
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Springfield police are investigating the incidents that led up to an officer fatally shooting a Springfield man Sunday night.
Oscar Robert Lewis, 32, was involved in a hit-skip accident near Columbia Street and Western Avenue at about 9 p.m. before leading officers on a low-speed pursuit to the 400 block of Selma Road, Springfield Police Division Chief Stephen Moody said.
Lewis pulled a Chevrolet pick-up truck — reported stolen from Kentucky — onto the yard next to 472 Selma Road, then jumped out and fled behind the house at 9:21 p.m., Moody said.
Officer Donald Bartolet had followed Lewis’s vehicle in the pursuit, and Officer Thomas Chrisman arrived next at the scene.
Bartolet and Chrisman followed Lewis behind the home, where Lewis had picked up a long, T-handled gardening tool with tines at the end of it, Moody said.
As the officers approached, Lewis thrusted toward them, swinging the metal tool, Moody said.
Lewis slipped and fell, and Bartolet used his officer baton to strike Lewis’ leg in an attempt to subdue him, Moody said.
Lewis continued to thrust toward the officers after repeated orders to put the tool down, Moody said.
Chrisman took out his pepper spray but slipped and fell before he could use it, Moody said.
Bartolet then shot Lewis once in the left side when he continued attempting to assault the officers, Moody said.
Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene when medics arrived, Moody said.
Investigations of the shooting are ongoing by internal affairs and the division’s Person’s Unit, he said.
Chrisman will continue on his regular shift at the division, and Bartolet will take on administrative duties in the office pending the evidence being presented to a Clark County Grand Jury, Moody said.
Both Bartolet and Chrisman joined the Springfield police Oct. 24, 2005, Moody said.
Neither officer suffered severe physical injuries in the incident.
Lewis’ wife, who was in the vehicle with him, was not charged, Moody said.