COLUMBUS – A man is in critical condition after being shot by a Columbus police officer during a domestic disturbance on the West Side Wednesday night.
UPDATE 10/06/23 7:50 a.m.: This article has been edited to include information about the suspect and criminal charges.
Officers responding to the 1600 block of Sullivant Avenue on a report that a man was experiencing a mental health crisis and had assaulted two people at approximately 10:49 p.m. tried to take the man into custody when they say he assaulted them and one officer fired their weapon, according to a statement from the Columbus Division of Police media relations office.
When the officers arrived at the scene they determined the incident involved domestic violence and the individual inside the apartment needed to be placed under arrest.
The man, identified as Michael Lamont Frierson, refused to come outside and remained inside the apartment with several other people, police said.
After speaking with the 36-year-old Fierson for several minutes and asking him to come outside, police said the officers kicked the door of the apartment open “in an attempt to take the male into custody and protect the individuals inside.”
As officers tried to enter the apartment, they say Fierson assaulted one of the officers by striking him in the face with a “potential weapon in his hand,” according to the statement. One officer discharged their firearm multiple times, striking the man.
Officers immediately entered the residence, took Fierson into custody, and began rendering first aid until paramedics arrived and took the man to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, where his condition was upgraded from critical to stable Thursday afternoon.
Frierson was taken into custody at the hospital on outstanding felony arrest warrants and police say charges, including domestic violence and felonious assault against a peace officer, will be filed.
Investigators recovered three edged weapons at the scene, including a pair of scissors, a knife, and a fork, police said.
Marsy’s Law prohibits police from releasing the identity of the officer involved, a 4-year veteran of the Division of Police, according to the release.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the officer-involved shooting.