A former police officer in Ohio, has been charged with murder and reckless homicide in connection with the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man in 2022.
The grand jury indicted Ricky Anderson, who worked with the Columbus police department for 30 years, on Friday, August 4, following an investigation into the incident.
The shooting occurred on August 30, 2022, when officers were executing a search warrant at Donovan Lewis’ apartment.
Lewis, who had several felony charges pending against him, including domestic violence, assault, and improper handling of a firearm, was asleep in his bed when Anderson opened the bedroom door and fired at him and despite being taken to a local hospital, Lewis succumbed to his injuries.
Body camera footage from the incident revealed that Lewis appeared to be holding “something” in his hand, later identified as a vape pen. However, it was evident that Lewis posed no immediate threat to the officers.
The family of the deceased, represented by their attorneys, expressed satisfaction with the grand jury’s decision to charge Officer Anderson.
They emphasized that the footage clearly showed the officer shooting an unarmed man. The family had taken legal action against Anderson and the other officers involved through a civil suit, claiming Lewis never raised his arm or presented any threat during the raid.
Officer Anderson, who had initially been placed on administrative leave, eventually resigned from the Columbus Division of Police. His attorney, Mark Collins, argued that police-involved shootings should be analyzed in the context of rapidly evolving and dangerous situations officers face.
As the investigation continues, the family of Donovan Lewis remains focused on their pursuit of justice.