Suspect killed by police after machete attack in NE Columbus

COLUMBUS — Officers shot and killed a suspect near Stelzer Road and Morse Crossing, just outside the Easton Shopping Center.

Police say the man had attacked several people on North Hamilton Road, near Morse Road, and then fled the area. Columbus Police say when they responded to the attack, witnesses gave them information about the suspect's vehicle, which they put out on radio channels.

Officers working special duty nearby saw the vehicle and tried twice to force the driver to stop using a PIT Maneuver before he suddenly came to a stop and the car was forced up on a curb. Officer say as they approached the suspect, he came out of the vehicle with a machete in one hand and a knife in the other.

Police say an officer tased him to stop him, but it was ineffective. They say the suspect was shot multiple times when he lunged at one of the officers.

A machete and knife were recovered. Officers say the bomb squad was called in to check out the man's vehicle, but nothing was found.

The attack happened at Nazareth Restaurant & Deli, a middle-eastern restaurant on North Hamilton Road, where four people were injured. Police say of the witnesses they've interviewed, no one seemed to know the guy.

Two people who were inside the restaurant at the time described the scene to reporter Rob Wells as "carnage" saying it seemed like a "systematic attack."

Columbus police say there is nothing at this point to indicate it's anything other than a random attack, but that they're working with "federal partners". They say they've identified the suspect, but have not yet released his name.

Stay with ABC 6/FOX 28 for the latest on this developing story.

Related Stories

Four seriously injured in machete attack at northeast Columbus restaurant