A single gunshot shattered the quiet of a Chillicothe backyard just after midnight, leaving a police officer fighting for his life against a teen armed and waiting in the shadows. This Chillicothe officer shooting incident unfolded around 1 a.m. on August 27 in the 300 block of East Main Street. Chillicothe police had rushed to the area after reports of gunfire.
Officers began searching a property, including a small shed in the backyard, for a possible suspect. Ohio officer bodycam footage shows him approaching the shed with a flashlight. Suddenly, a 15-year-old boy bursts out and fires a single shot straight into the officer’s chest from close range. The officer stumbles back but quickly regains his footing.
He fires once in return, striking the teen in the leg. That split-second exchange, which captures the moment a teen shoots an officer, was recorded in raw detail on the officer’s bodycam and has now been released to the public. You can watch the full video here, which includes a warning for graphic content.
The officer’s ballistic vest stopped the bullet from penetrating his chest, sparing him from worse harm. He called out in pain over the radio: “Shots fired, I just been shot!” Paramedics soon arrived to treat him for bruising and impact injuries at Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe.
The teen tried to run but collapsed nearby. Officers applied a tourniquet to his leg wound and rushed him to the same hospital. Doctors later airlifted him to Grant Medical Center in Columbus for more advanced care on his serious but non-fatal injuries. No one else got hurt in the chaos.
The boy had a handgun, but police have not shared details on why he was there or what led up to the shots.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI investigation) stepped in right away to review the police use of force, following standard protocol for these cases involving a Chillicothe officer shooting. Their probe examines the bodycam video, witness accounts, and all physical evidence.
So far, no charges have been filed against the 15-year-old. Court details could stay private because of his age, but updates might come as the investigation wraps up.
Chillicothe Police Chief praised the officer’s quick response and the team’s aid to the teen, reminding them of the risks officers face every shift, and highlighting the importance of officer safety.
