Police: Suspect killed, Columbus officer shot after armed robbery, pursuit

A suspect was killed and a Columbus police officer was shot Thursday afternoon downtown.

According to police, the suspect, who authorities have identified as 19-year-old Abdisamad Ismail, was shot and killed on I-70. Police were responding to an armed robbery at a Fifth Third Bank on Hilliard Rome Road in Hilliard around 4 p.m. Thursday and pursued the stolen vehicle, a black Porsche SUV, until exchanging gunfire with the suspects east of West Mound Street on I-70.

Officers recovered two guns at the scene: a Glock handgun with an extended magazine and a semiautomatic handgun.

CPD arrested another suspect, 23-year-old Faisal Darod, around 1:30 a.m. Friday in North Linden.

A third suspect, 20-year-old Aden Abdullahi Jama, of Reynoldsburg, was arrested over the weekend at Chicago O’Hare International Airport by United States Marshals and HSI agents. He had bought an airline ticket for a flight to Turkey.

Darod and Jama each face charges of aiding and abetting a bank robbery and aiding and abetting the use and carrying of a firearm during a crime of violence.

The charge of aiding and abetting a bank robbery can result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years. The charge of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during a crime of violence has a possible prison sentence between five years and life in prison.

A CPD news release said shots were fired between a suspect and multiple officers. The unnamed officer was shot and transported to Grant Medical Center and Ismail was shot and killed and pronounced dead at the scene by medics at 4:20 p.m. Darod and Jama fled the scene on foot.

Authorities shut down portions of I-70 near downtown for hours as the scene unfolded and they searched for the suspects.

The officer was transported to the hospital by another officer and underwent emergency surgery. The officer was initially listed as critical, but is now described as stable.

At a press conference outside the hospital on Friday, Assistant Police Chief Greg Bodker said the unnamed officer faces a long road to recover but is expected to survive his injuries.

"There's an officer in the hospital behind me that his life was saved by his partners in patrol who got him here quickly, the doctors and staff at Grant Hospital. They perform miracles here and they did that here yesterday," Bodker said.

Police Chief Elaine Bryant said in a statement Thursday evening that CPD is committed to holding the remaining suspects accountable for their actions.

"Today, our greatest fear in law enforcement became a reality when a Columbus Division of Police officer was shot in the line of duty. This is a reminder of the dangers the courageous men and women of this Division face each day as they work to keep our community safe," Bryant said.

Bryant also said CPD is thankful for the quick actions by fellow officers and medical personnel at Grant Medical Center, which she said "undoubtedly saved this officer's life."

"Tonight, I ask you to keep all of our officers in your prayers and continue to lift up our injured officer's family during this time," Bryant said.

"These folks intended to kill this police officer yesterday. And he has survived because of the incredible care here, the support of other police officers and the prayers of this community," Ginther said.

Detectives with the Columbus Division of Police Homicide Bureau are investigating the bank robbery and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting.