Franklin County Grand Jury Declines to Indict Gahanna Officers in Fatal Shooting

Posted on 2/19/2026

Defendant:

This week, a Franklin County Grand Jury completed its review of the fatal shooting of Alex Russell by on-duty Gahanna police officers.

The Grand Jury voted to not issue an indictment on Tuesday. Therefore, no charges have been filed with the Clerk of Courts related to this incident.

Background
 
On Dec. 19, 2024, Gahanna Police Officers responded to allegations of a hotel guest using fraudulent identification and a stolen credit card. The hotel staff requested the guest, identified as Alex Russell, 23, be removed from the hotel property. When officers attempted to contact Russell, he fled from the hotel room.
 
Officers pursued Russell who was in possession of a handgun. Officers gave numerous verbal commands to stop and drop his gun, but Russell did not comply and continued to flee. Russell then turned to face the officers and pointed his gun at his own head. Officers continued to attempt to gain compliance from him but were unsuccessful. An officer attempted to deploy a less lethal bean-bag shotgun at him.
 
However, Russell continued to run before turning towards the officers, pointing his gun in their direction. Officers fired at Russell, causing him to fall to the ground. Officers gave verbal commands for him to drop his weapon, but additional shots were fired before Russell dropped the gun.
 
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.