Developing: SWAT Standoff

SWAT
Neighbors were unable to enter their home, due to dozens of Columbus police, Franklin County and Ohio State patrol vehicles surrounding the area.
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A SWAT standoff near Ohio State’s South Campus in Columbus has reportedly ended with the suspect dead. Police aren’t saying much other than it’s over. An ex-roommate had more information about Asante Taj Omar Miller than the cops are providing. For one thing, his friends were all trying to get him some crisis help, without a lot of luck.

SWAT standoff ends

All’s well that ends, the SWAT team is saying. Beyond that, they aren’t telling the press much. They don’t want to answer questions about the armed standoff they had for over five hours with a dead suspect “in his 20s.

They had to get a warrant before they could break in and those take time, officials note. They didn’t divulge any names but Asante Taj Omar Miller’s former roommate did.

This is still a developing story on Sunday, August 11. That means details are sketchy and unconfirmed. The big question nobody is answering regards the time of death for the suspect.

He was alive after a running gun battle with police this morning. SWAT didn’t think he was hit, when he barricaded himself in a house.

He exchanged fire with them from inside for a few minutes then all was quiet. The incident happened near Ohio State’s South Campus at about 8 a.m. but classes aren’t in session yet.

Investigators relate that “the standoff started after somebody called 911 to report that a burglary was in progress in the area.” When cops rolled up, Miller started shooting at them. He didn’t hit any. “They returned fire, but it is not clear if the suspect was hit.

They don’t think so but he’s dead and the coroner hasn’t said anything yet. Maybe the SWAT team got him and didn’t know it. More likely, he offed himself. Since there wasn’t any gunfire after the initial exchange, if he shot himself it was then. They kept neighbors away and surrounded the place for hours before they found him dead.

He had a lot going on, needed help and I think [he] wasn’t able to get it.

No answer to negotiator

Now police know why the suspect didn’t respond to a police negotiator making commands. Multiple SWAT vehicles were positioned both in front of and behind the single family home.

Neighbors were unable to enter their home, due to dozens of Columbus police, Franklin County and Ohio State patrol vehicles surrounding the area.” Dominic Brooks knew Asante Taj Omar Miller well.

A couple weeks ago, things could have been a lot more tragic. Because then, the home Miller barricaded himself into would have been occupied. “The home’s fully empty now.” Brooks was one of the former occupants. It was a sort of halfway house for “Christian men.

Brooks relates that “from what I’ve heard from the guys that lived with him, he had a lot going on, needed help and I think [he] wasn’t able to get it.” That’s what Columbus has SWAT teams for.

Miller “lived there for about a year and he moved out. [The] guys weren’t really sure what his living situation was like after he moved out.” It’s going to be much more stable now. Brooks knows of at least one other encounter Miller had with police. It “didn’t lead to any charges.” Certainly no SWAT teams.

His ex-roommates had never worried about their safety 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.

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Mark Megahan

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