Jerry Smith Obituary, Death; – Columbus police have confirmed the identity of the individual who was shot and killed by SWAT officers during a critical hostage situation on Monday evening as 37-year-old Jerry Smith.
The event took place in the 4400 block of Hampton Woods Court following a 911 call that reported a male assaulting a female within an apartment and making threats to kill her. Officers at the scene indicated that Smith was firing at them from inside the apartment while holding the female hostage. SWAT teams and hostage negotiators were summoned to the scene.
The negotiators engaged with Smith for over an hour in an effort to peacefully resolve the situation. At 11:46 p.m., police reported that Smith opened the apartment door with the female and a firearm in his possession. Allegedly, Smith raised the gun, which led multiple SWAT personnel to discharge their weapons, resulting in Smith being struck. The female managed to escape to the officers and was subsequently treated at a local hospital.
In accordance with Marsy’s Law, the Columbus Police are prohibited from disclosing the identities of the officers involved; however, they did mention that one officer has 25 years of service and another has 28 years of experience with the department.
