Police scanner traffic indicates that Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers are currently pursuing a person who somehow tried to break into the FBI field office in Cincinnati.
Troopers are discussing using stop sticks and have “long guns” out as they pursue a northbound white Ford Crown Victoria sedan. The suspect just passed the I-71 Wilmington Road exit and troopers are positioned at I-71 and SR 73 and at I-71 and US 68.
By the hour/minute as heard on police scanner and various reports:
At 9:50 a.m. a trooper stated that the suspect has exited at SR 73.
9:51: Suspect traveling on SR 73 toward Wilmington.
9:53: “Clear the intersection of SR 73 and Mitchell”. “Vehicle on Smith Road at this time.” Four cruisers involved in the pursuit.
9:54: “On Center Road.” “On Smith Road at the 71 overpass.”
9:55: “Crossing over 68 at this time.” It sounds like Clinton County Sheriff’s deputies are also involved.
9:58: “Need someone at south end of Smith at the edge of the cornfield.” At Center and Smith roads.
9:59: “Put CareFlight on standby please.”
10:00: Driver out of car behind it and “pointed a pistol at us.”
10:01 Putting up a perimeter around cornfield.
10:03: Wilmington Fire Department ambulances are stationed near the scene.
10:04: White male, orange shirt, bald, sunglasses…
10:05: Suspect just reached inside the car.
10:11: Clinton County EMA reports shots fired.
10:14: CCSO and also Greene County Sheriff’s involved.
10:16: Scanner has been mostly silent regarding this for a few minutes…
10:20: Chopper(s) in the air. Suspect sitting on ground behind car. Armored vehicle on the way. Staging SWAT team at Collett Propane.
10:24: Chopper: “Blood splatter on his shorts. Right thigh area.” “Part of windshield shot out.” Suspect on knees, holding rifle.”
10:26: Request for ODOT to shut down area of SR 380, Oglesbee.
10:30 It appears that CareFlight has landed in the area and is standing by.
10:32: Two FBI negotiators coming to scene. SR 73 closed in both directions between Mitchell Road and SR 380.
10: 41: Nothing new heard on scanner other than officers staging in area. News Journal has reported near scene.
10:41: EMA: Lockdown in effect for all buildings within one-mile radius of Smith Road and Center Road intersection. Lock doors and stay inside.
10:45: Chopper: “Rifle down for the moment. He is on his knees.” Report that armored vehicle is on the scene.
10:57: No further notable scanner traffic on the regular channels News Journal monitors.
11:07: Ditto.
11:23 FBI officers are on the scene and an FBI helicopter is landing. No other scanner chatter to report nor additional info of note from reporter at scene.
11:48 a.m.: Incident is ongoing. Clinton County EMA reports that earlier in incident, multiple shots fired by both suspect and officers. The suspect is wearing body armor, originally was wearing an orange shirt, now wearing a gray shirt. I-71 closed both directions between SR 68 and SR 73.
12:02: Red Cross staged near scene.
1:12 p.m. Situation continues. Clinton Memorial Hospital is in lockdown “out of an abundance of caution” and that may be a site to where the suspect could eventually be transported.
1:47 p.m. Lt. Nathan Dennis of the OSHP held a briefing with reporters at the media staging area at Caesar Creek Flea Market. He said after the suspect fled the FBI office, the OSHP was notified. A trooper spotted the suspect vehicle on northbound I-71 in Warren County and attempted a traffic stop near the rest area at 9:37 a.m. The suspect failed to stop and a pursuit began with the suspect firing shots during the pursuit. He added that the situation remains active and added that no officers have been injured. He said there is no information to release on the suspect’s identification.
2:01: Suspect “is laying on his belly and looking at the robot coming up.”“Negotiations continue.”
2:06: Clinton County EMA advises that ODOT is reopening I-71 in both directions, but SR 73 between SR 380 and Mitchell Road remains closed.
2:40: From Clinton County EMA: “Update to the current situation. I-71 traffic both northbound and southbound are reopened. State Route 73 is still closed between State Route 380 and Mitchell Road. Expect traffic impacts the closer we get to evening drive time. Law Enforcement operations still underway in vicinity of Center & Smith Roads. Lockdown still in effect for 1 mile radius of Center & Smith Roads. Please remain indoors and keep your doors locked. Suspect has not yet been taking into custody, but is contained. He is wearing a gray shirt and body armor, and is armed. Remain vigilant and if you are in the area, report anything suspicious to 911.”
3:43: Chatter of “sniper off gun” and some sort of movement by law enforcement.
3:53: Choppers report they have “eyes on” the suspect. No movement from him.
4:26: EMA: “RESPONSE HAS ENDED. End lockdown.” Also, some operations are continuing on-scene, so portions of Smith Road will remain closed. SR 73 to reopen shortly.
5:24 p.m.: Media briefing from OSHP to begin soon.
