Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office Receives Ohio BCI’s Report on Investigation of Officer-Involved Shooting

Posted on 12/9/2022

Defendant:

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) today turned over to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office a report of its independent investigation into an officer-involved shooting in August 2022 that resulted in the death of Donovan Latrell Lewis.

Franklin County Prosecutor G. Gary Tyack has selected H. Tim Merkle and Gary Shroyer, both former senior assistant Franklin County prosecutors, to act as special prosecutors in this matter. Mr. Merkle and Mr. Shroyer will review the BCI’s investigation and present the case to a Franklin County grand jury to determine whether or not probable cause exists supporting a criminal offense by the officer, Columbus Police Officer Ricky Anderson.

On Aug. 30, 2022, Officer Anderson and other Columbus Police officers were attempting to serve an arrest warrant at an apartment on Sullivant Avenue. During the officers’ interaction with Mr. Lewis, Officer Anderson fired a single shot, hitting Mr. Lewis in the torso. Medics transported Mr. Lewis to the hospital, where he died of his injuries.