COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A community is in shock after a man was killed during a SWAT team operation near Ohio State University’s south campus.
Neighbors were unable to enter their home as dozens of Columbus police vehicles, as well as Franklin County and Ohio state patrol cars, surrounded the area.
A neighbor told ABC 6’s Jeremiah Wilcox he was walking his dog when the chaos began. The neighbor said he saw a man dressed all in black trying to flee the area.
Cops everywhere with guns drawn – obviously they were 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.”
“It was kind of scary because I’m obviously the only person on the street. He’s right next to me. I was like, ‘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.”
Schaefer added that this community is normally quiet.
“I just told my mom yesterday that this is a really safe area,” he said. “Things like this don’t happen here.”
Many people in the area are college students and hope that such an incident will not happen again when classes start.
ABC 6 gets more insight into suspect Asante Taj Omar Miller and his past after anchor Isabelle Hanson interviews a man who knew him.
Dominic Brooks told us on Sunday that Miller’s new roommates were worried about him because he was important to them.
From what I heard from the guys who lived with him, he had a lot going on, he needed help, and I don’t think he was able to get it.”
The incident began where these men and Asante Miller lived together. Brooks says Miller’s former roommates hoped to help him.
“Of course I’m heartbroken because it’s just unreal to know someone in this situation.”
He tells us that the house where Miller previously lived is for Christian men and is located on Worthington Street.
“I know he lived there for about a year and then moved out. (The) guys weren’t really sure what his living situation was after he moved out.”
Brooks says he knows of a past incident involving Miller that did not result in charges. He tells us his former roommates never worried about their safety while living with him.
They’re all brothers. Not fraternity brothers, but brothers in Christ, and they just wanted to love him and show him the love of God. That was the goal.”
Had the standoff occurred about two weeks earlier, Brooks said, he might have ended up in the middle of it, since he had just moved out of the house where Miller had barricaded himself after fleeing from police.
“I thank God that wasn’t the case, because that would have been a very different thing… But now the house is completely empty.”
While police tried to convince Miller to put down his weapon, Brooks also prayed for peace.
“I and everyone I can reach have been praying all morning.”
Unfortunately, Miller was found dead by police the same day.
The entire incident is being investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
