Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Benjamin Wheeler
Age : 40
Gender : Male
Race : White
Date : 08/01/2024
Location : 800 block of Cherryberry Drive
City : Columbus
County : Franklin
State : Ohio
Agency : Columbus Division of Police
Officer(s) :Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by SWAT during arrest
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 08/01/2024 at approximately 4:40 p.m., Columbus police officers responded to a residence on Cherry Creek Parkway after a 911 caller reported that 40-year-old Benjamin Wheeler was threatening his stepfather. Wheeler's parents met officers outside and reported that Wheeler had several mental health conditions, had stopped taking his prescribed medication, and was inside the home.
Officers spoke with Wheeler at the front door. During the conversation, Wheeler denied taking medication and initially denied being armed before retreating back inside the residence. While investigating, officers learned Wheeler also had an active felony warrant for failure to pay child support. After Wheeler barricaded himself inside, Columbus Police requested the SWAT unit.
SWAT officers negotiated with Wheeler for approximately four and one-half hours and used numerous less-lethal tactics in an effort to end the standoff without deadly force. Officers deployed chemical agents and other less-lethal tools while repeatedly attempting to persuade Wheeler to surrender.
When SWAT officers entered the residence, Wheeler attacked them with knives from behind a barricade. Three officers suffered knife wounds during the assault. Body-camera footage released by the Columbus Division of Police shows Wheeler throwing furniture and other objects before charging officers with knives. During the confrontation, at least one SWAT officer fired, striking Wheeler.
Officers secured Wheeler, rendered medical aid, and summoned medics. Wheeler was pronounced dead at the scene. The three injured officers were transported to area hospitals and later recovered from their injuries.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducted the independent criminal investigation. The Columbus Division of Police completed a separate administrative review. Body-camera footage and a critical incident briefing were released publicly on August 7, 2024.
On June 12, 2025, a Franklin County grand jury reviewed the investigation and declined to return criminal charges against the SWAT officer who fired the fatal shots. The Franklin County Prosecutor's Office announced the decision publicly on June 16, 2025.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmTwhRlhmQc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnTrFwv2RBo
