Grand Jury Declines to Return Indictment in August 2024 Officer-Involved Shooting

Posted on 6/16/2025

Defendant:

Today, a Franklin County Grand Jury completed its review of the August 1, 2024, fatal shooting of Benjamin Wheeler by an on duty Columbus Division of Police SWAT officer. The Grand Jury voted to not issue an indictment. Therefore, no charges have been filed with the Clerk of Courts related to this incident.
 
Background
 
On August 1, 2024, Columbus Police officers responded to a domestic disturbance call involving Benjamin Wheeler. Upon further investigation, they learned that the suspect had an active felony warrant for his arrest. Wheeler became irate and began throwing household items at the responding officers and barricaded himself inside the residence.
 
Columbus Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) responded to the barricade situation. The SWAT Team was on site for nearly four and a half hours, usings a variety of non-lethal methods in attempting to arrest Mr. Wheeler.  Eventually, SWAT officers entered the residence.
 
From behind the barricade, Mr. Wheeler threw a variety of objects at the officers, including knives. Three officers sustained injuries while being attacked with a knife by Mr. Wheeler. He was shot by one of the SWAT officers while he was attacking other officers with a knife. He died as a result of his injuries.
 
Office Policy on Officer-Involved Fatalities
 
Since 1980, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office has maintained a policy of presenting all cases involving fatal use of force by on-duty law enforcement officers to a Grand Jury. This longstanding practice ensures that an independent panel of citizens evaluates the circumstances surrounding these critical incidents.