FINDLAY, Ohio — A 17-year-old male has died after he reportedly fired at a Findlay police officer while attempting to flee on foot, then was shot by the officer, police say.
The Findlay Courier reports the shooting occurred just before 7 p.m. Monday at Bernard Park in Findlay. Officers were called to the park for reports of three juveniles drinking alcohol at the park, police said in a news release.
When police arrived, one juvenile ran from the officers, reports say. An officer began chasing the juvenile and at some point the teen fired shots at the officer, police say. The officer returned fire, hitting the teen.
The teen was taken to a hospital in Toledo but died Tuesday morning, WTVG Channel 13 reports.
Police have not released the identity of the teen, but WTOL reports the teen’s family identified him as Kalvin Daraphet in a social media post.
“Last night was a mother’s worst nightmare,” the teen’s mother wrote in a social media post, according to the Courier. “This hurts to the core. He did not make it. I am torn as a mother.”
WTOL reports Findlay Police Chief James Mathias released a statement on the shooting Tuesday afternoon.
“This was a dangerous and tragic situation,” Mathias said. “Our officers are trained to respond to threats of violence, especially when a gun was involved. A handgun was recovered on scene. My thoughts and prayers go out to all that were part of this critical incident as a department and also the loss of a life.”
Reports say it’s unclear if the other two juveniles were taken into custody or if the officer who fired the shots has been placed on administrative leave. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is reviewing the shooting.