COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 21-year-old suspect wanted for a shooting Wednesday night that left two Mifflin Township police officers injured is still on the loose, officials confirmed Thursday afternoon.
Through contributions from multiple law enforcement agencies, there is now a $40,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of Daveonte Dixon. He is charged with one count of attempted murder and two counts of felonious assault.
The FBI is also offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Officials said they believe Dixon is a threat to the community. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is urging the community to stay vigilent and to report any information to police. While they do not know if he has a weapon, he should be considered as armed and dangerous, officials confirmed at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
The shooting occurred on Mecca Road and Purde Avenue Wednesday night shortly before 7 p.m., officials said. Two officers were conducting a traffic stop when suddenly, the passenger ran out of the car and away from the police, according to Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin. The suspect then shot at the officers, injuring them, Baldwin said.
The driver of the car was cooperative, officials said. He was taken into custody and released, according to Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 President Brian Steel.
The Mifflin Township police officers who were shot were transported to a local hospital. Steel said they are both stable.
One of the officers is being discharged from the hospital Thursday, officials confirmed at the press conference. The other went into emergency surgery in the early morning hours and was taken back in for surgery Thursday morning. They said they are still waiting for an update on that.
Additionally, two Columbus officers were injured in a crash while responding to the "officer down" call in relation to the Mifflin Township shooting. Both of those officers are stable, Steel said.
"We will not rest until this individual responsible for this act is apprehended and brought to justice," Mifflin Township Police Chief David Briggs said. "We are fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners around the clock to ensure that happens."
Chief Deputy Rick Minerd Jr. with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) is involved in the investgation, analyzing evidence.
During the press conference, officials also showed short clips of the officers' body camera footage showcasing the traffic stop, foot chase and shooting.
Minerd said they hope Dixon turns himself in before someone else is hurt.
“There’s no rock that you’re going to hide under, Mr. Dixon," he said. "We got eyes and ears out there..."
“This morning, three families are grieving or holding vigil for officers shot or killed in the line of duty," Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther wrote in a statement. "My prayers are with the loved ones of Deputy Sheriff Daniel Sherrer and the two officers injured in last night’s attack in Mifflin Township. Violence against officers anywhere in our community is completely and totally unacceptable. I will continue to do everything in my power to prevent incidents like these, because a threat to our officers is a threat to us all. My prayers and full support are with the brave officers in Central Ohio who risk their lives and safety every day to keep out community and our families safe.”
This is the second instance this week of Ohio law enforcement being shot, the first being in Monday when Morrow County Sheriff's Deputy Daniel Sherrer, 31, was shot and killed while responding to a domestic situation off County Road 26, south of Marengo.
Earlier this month, another sheriff's deputy in Ohio was killed. Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Henderson was killed after being hit by a car while directing traffic on May 2.