COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A dead man has been identified after an hours-long standoff with deputies, police and SWAT officers on Sunday.
According to court documents, Asante Miller died around 1:15 p.m., approximately five hours after the standoff began on Ohio State University’s south campus. The exact circumstances of his death are currently unclear.
Authorities originally said Miller fired shots at police officers in the area of 1500 Worthington Street around 8 a.m., but police have since said they are “unsure” whether he actually opened fire on officers.
Franklin County Municipal Court documents state that Miller attempted to “physically harm” police officers.
Investigators say it all started when someone called 911 to report a burglary was in progress in the area. Shortly after officers arrived on the scene, shots were fired.
The exact investigation into who fired first is still ongoing, but police say no officers were injured.
Shortly after shots were fired, the man went to a nearby home on West 8th Avenue and remained there until a Columbus police spokesman confirmed his death. It is unclear what connection he had to that home, police said.
The house was surrounded by several SWAT vehicles in front and behind. A police negotiator had given instructions, but the man did not follow them.
ABC 6 confirmed around 12 p.m. that Columbus police had attempted to obtain a warrant to enter the home. CPD officers had also made contact with the suspect’s family.
A neighbor told ABC 6’s Jeremiah Wilcox that he was walking his dog when the chaos began.
“There were cops everywhere, guns drawn, they were clearly after somebody,” Richard Schaefer said. “As I was leaving … I heard about six or seven shots, maybe more. I just picked the dog up and got to the ground. (The suspect) eventually crossed the street, hid behind a car and was about ten feet away from me.”
Schaefer added that it is normally a quiet area.
“I just told my mom yesterday that this is a really safe area,” he said. “Things like this don’t happen here.”
It was kind of scary because I’m obviously the only person on the street. He’s right next to me. I said, ‘Act like nothing’s happening,’ because I don’t want to give the impression that I’m going to tell anyone anything because he has a gun.”
This story will be updated as new details are confirmed.
