Coroner's office identifies man killed in incident that injured 3 Columbus police officers

A 40-year-old man is dead, and three Columbus police officers were injured following an hours-long barricade situation Thursday.

Benjamin Wheeler, 40, was shot by at least one Columbus police SWAT officer. He died at the scene on the 800 block of Cherryberry Drive on the city's Far West Side, the Franklin County Coroner's office said.

Wheeler had previously lived in Kentucky and is related to the owner of the home where the barricade situation occurred, according to records reviewed by The Dispatch.

The situation began around 4:25 p.m. Thursday after Columbus police said they received a call about a domestic violence incident at the home. The response resulted in a barricade situation with the department's SWAT team being called.

Brian Steel, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, said three officers were injured with stab or cut wounds during multiple interactions with Wheeler. All three officers were taken to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center for treatment.

Steel said Friday morning two officers had already been released and the third officer was expected to be released later in the day.

The department declined to identify the officers involved in the shooting citing Marsy's Law, which is meant to protect the identity of crime victims . All officers have been with the department for at least 20 years, according to Jennifer Watson, spokesperson for Columbus police.

Limited details about the timeline of events, how the officers were injured and Wheeler was shot have been released.

Scanner traffic from the scene indicated two officers were taken to the hospital around 9:30 p.m. Thursday. The other officer who was injured had been taken to the hospital at least an hour and a half earlier, scanner traffic indicated.

At some point in the barricade situation, Steel said SWAT officers had entered the home, which is when at least one SWAT officer fired their weapon at Wheeler, who died at the scene from his injuries.

Who is Benjamin Wheeler?

Wheeler had previously lived in Kentucky, according to records reviewed by The Dispatch.

At the time of Thursday night's shooting, Wheeler had an active arrest warrant for nonsupport of defendants, a fifth-degree felony. He had been indicted in February, according to Franklin County Common Pleas Court records.

The charge Wheeler was facing is typically filed after a person fails to make child support payments for 26 weeks out of a two-year period, according to the Ohio Revised Code.

What have local leaders said about the shooting?

In a Friday evening release, Columbus police chief Elaine Bryant lauded the efforts of the officers and warned that violence against law enforcement would not be tolerated.

"I am grateful for the bravery, professionalism, and dedication displayed by our officers during such a volatile event," said Bryant. "Violence against those who have vowed to serve and protect will not be tolerated in this city."

In a Friday morning statement, Columbus Public Safety Director Kate Pishotti said she is "grateful beyond words" that the officers are expected to recover.

"Our officers risk their lives every day to keep us safe," Pishotti wrote. "Last night was a reminder of the dangers they face simply doing their jobs ... Please join me in praying for them and their families, and condemning violence against our brave peacekeepers."

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther also issued a statement shortly after news of the shooting broke.

"Tonight, my prayers are with the Columbus Division of Police officers injured in the line of duty, as well as their families," he wrote. "I am grateful for their bravery in the face of danger and their commitment to protecting our residence. Violence, particularly toward our officers, is never acceptable. I wish them a full and speedy recovery."

The shooting marks the eighth time in 2024 Columbus police officers have shot a suspect. On July 6, five Columbus police officers helping at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee shot and killed a knife-wielding man near the security perimeter of the convention. An internal investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said that his thoughts are with the officers and their families and that he is praying for their fast recovery.

"This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the incredible sacrifice our officers make, and their families make each day," Hardin said.

Dispatch reporter Bailey Gallion contributed to this story.

bbruner@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Coroner's office identifies man killed in incident that injured 3 Columbus police officers