Suspect dead, deputy injured in chaotic scene in New Philadelphia
NEW PHILADELPHIA – A suspect was killed and a sheriff’s deputy injured Sunday night in a chaotic incident that involved multiple car crashes, shots fired and a stolen sheriff’s cruiser.
Sheriff Orvis Campbell Monday morning provided some details but said the complicated investigation is ongoing.
He says they are not sure what killed the suspect – a crash or gunfire.
Here is what Campbell reported:
“At approximately 2106 hours on Sunday March 31, 2024 the Tuscarawas County 911 Center received a call about a vehicle crashing into a house at the intersection of 8th Street NE and Fair avenue in New Philadelphia.
“Deputies responded to assist and one Deputy saw a man walking and attempted to engage him. As soon as the Deputy got out of his cruiser, the man jumped in the passenger side of the car and attempted to flee. A struggle ensued and shots were fired. One Deputy was injured in the hand and leg and the suspect successfully fled in the Sheriff’s cruiser. The suspect then crashed the cruiser into a parked car at Tell Street and East High. Both the parked car and the cruiser suffered extensive damage. The suspect was taken from that vehicle and transported to Union Hospital with injuries where he was later pronounced deceased.
“This was an extremely confusing scene that encompassed three crime scenes, Where the suspect’s vehicle crashed into the home, where the Deputy encountered the suspect and the struggle ensued and where shots were fired and where the suspect crashed the Sheriff Cruiser. Details are sketchy at this time. The Bureau of Identification and Investigation was requested by me to complete the investigation since a Deputy was involved in the shooting.”
“The Deputy’s injuries were described as non-life threatening and it is unknown at this time what caused the death of the suspect (shooting/crash. Etc).
“New Philadelphia Police Department, the Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office assisted along with BCI” and the Sheriff’s Office.
