Franklin County Grand Jury Votes Not to Indict SWAT Unit Members Involved in Fatal Shooting in February 2023

Posted on 11/3/2023

Defendant: Columbus Division of Police’s SWAT unit

A Franklin County Grand Jury on Thursday voted not to indict members of the Columbus Division of Police’s SWAT unit involved in the shooting death of Bret Andrews, 46, of Athens County.

On Feb. 11, 2023, members of the SWAT unit arrived in the parking lot of the Home Depot on Stringtown Road in Grove City to serve an arrest warrant on Andrews.

After Andrews entered the passenger side of a vehicle in the parking lot, the officers surrounded the vehicle and began giving verbal orders for the occupants to show their hands. Andrews was observed raising a handgun in the direction of officers. Based on the observed threat, multiple officers discharged their weapons, hitting Andrews with several rounds. Officers immediately rendered lifesaving measures, but Andrews died from his injuries.

The grand jury determines if a crime has been committed and whether there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the crime.