COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office released dramatic body camera footage capturing the moment a suspect opened fire on two Mifflin Township police officers during a traffic stop, leaving both officers wounded and the suspect still on the run, WBNS reported.
According to Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin, the May 28 incident began when Mifflin Township officers conducted a traffic stop and were speaking with the driver. About four minutes into the stop, the passenger, identified as Daveonte Dixon, fled on foot.
Video shows one of the officers pursuing Dixon into a grassy area. Dixon stumbles, prompting the officer to draw his weapon. Seconds later, gunshots ring out, and the officer is heard crying out in pain.
Another officer’s bodycam captures Dixon running with a TASER before quickly discarding it and radioing, “Shots fired” and
“I’m hit,” while drawing his firearm. A separate angle shows the suspect in the grass, appearing to fire several rounds before fleeing again.
Both officers were struck. One officer was hit multiple times, including once in the face, and remains in critical condition following multiple surgeries, according to Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 President Brian Steel. The other officer, who was shot in the arm, was released the next day.
Dixon remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt and camouflage pants. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is processing evidence and the crime scene, according to the report.
Authorities are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the suspect’s arrest, coordinated by the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge #9 and Central Ohio Crime Stoppers.
Dixon faces charges of attempted murder and felonious assault in connection with the shooting.
“He’s still out and he’s still a danger to everybody,” Sheriff Baldwin warned.
