Columbus police say eight officers wereinvolved in the Aug. 7 shootout on the city's East Side with a man holding two guns who grazed one officer but was not himself struck.
Citing Ohio's Marsy's Law, the Columbus Division of Police said in an Aug. 12 release that they are unable to release the identities of the officers involved in the shooting. Under the law, the officers are considered "victims" in the incident.
Columbus police responded at 6:24 p.m. Aug. 7 to a report of a two-vehicle traffic crash on the exit ramp from Interstate 70 East to South Hamilton Road. No injuries were reported, but a man driving one of the vehicles pulled out two firearms and began shooting at the other vehicle, Columbus police Sgt. Joe Albert said.
The suspect –
later identified as Brandon Burtyk, 32 – then fled the scene on foot, Albert said. Court records show Burtyk has recent addresses in Reynoldsburg and Grove City.
Police began searching for Burtyk and caught up with him in the 4500 block of Errington Road, in the Shady Lane neighborhood, just northeast of South Hamilton Road and East Livingston Avenue.
Burtyk put the two handguns to his head as officers approached, and the multiple officers on the scene drew their weapons, Albert said. Officers repeatedly ordered the suspect to put his guns down, but he refused, the sergeant said.
At some point shortly after 7 p.m., Albert said Burtyk pointed his guns at the officers, who shot at him. Burtyk shot at the officers before immediately falling or stumbling to the ground, Albert said.
Somehow, none of the police gunfire hit Burtyk, who immediately threw his weapons away from him as he was on the ground, Albert said.
Burtyk was taken to a local hospital for examination for possible injuries from the traffic crash. He was later charged with felonious assault.
Although the police division did not release their names, the years of service of the officers involved in the shooting were released:
- Officer #1, 11 years of service.
- Officer #2, 7 years of service.
- Officer #3, 4 years of service.
- Officer #4, 1 year of service.
- Officer #5, 2 years of service.
- Officer #6, 15 years of service.
- Officer #7, 4 years of service.
- Officer #8, 6 years of service.
The officer who was injured during the gunfire exchange was transported to a local hospital, where they were treated and released, according to a police press release. Brian Steel, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Dewey R. Stokes Capital City Lodge No. 9, said previously that the officer sustained a graze wound, but it could have been much more serious.
The Columbus Division of Police’s Major Case Investigation Team is investigating the police-involved shooting, according to the release.
Burtyke is being held on $3 million bond on the felonious assault charge at Franklin County's James A. Karnes Corrections Center. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 18.
Burtyk was released from prison earlier this year after serving four years for felony assault with a weapon, court records show.
Dispatch Reporter Shahid Meighan contributed to this report.
Dispatch Reporter Nora Igelnik can be reached at nigelnik@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Eight Columbus officers involved in gunfire exchange, but suspect not struck
