A gunman who barricaded himself inside a building near Ohio State University’s south campus was pronounced dead after an hours-long standoff with police on Sunday, August 11, 2024.
The standoff began around 8 a.m. when Columbus, Ohio, police responded to reports of a burglary in progress at a residence on Worthington Street in the University District. The suspect, later identified as 21-year-old Asante Taj Omar Miller, allegedly fired shots into the apartment before fleeing the scene.
When officers arrived at the location, they encountered Miller reloading his firearm. Despite multiple verbal commands from police, Miller refused to drop his weapon. As officers attempted to apprehend him, Miller evaded capture by entering a nearby home on West 8th Avenue, where he barricaded himself inside.
According to a police spokesperson, officers repeatedly offered him chances to surrender without conflict, but he persisted in resisting. As a result, they had no option but to initiate a standoff due to the situation.
The police and Miller exchanged gunfire on at least two occasions. Despite the gunfire, neither the suspect nor any officers were injured during these exchanges. The standoff, which lasted more than five hours, involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Columbus Division of Police, SWAT units, and Ohio State University police.
Miller was eventually found dead inside the residence at around 1:15 p.m., but the exact circumstances of his death remain unclear. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has been called to investigate the incident.
Miller had a troubled past, according to those who knew him. Dominic Brooks, who lived with him previously, shared that Miller’s former roommates had been concerned about him for some time, trying to offer help that was ultimately not accepted. Brooks shared that Miller had resided in a Christian men’s home on Worthington Street for about a year before he eventually moved out. According to Brooks, his former roommates, who considered themselves close in their faith, never felt unsafe living with him and were focused on offering him love and support.
Brooks also noted that he had recently relocated from the home where Miller later barricaded himself, feeling fortunate not to have been there during the incident. While Brooks and others hoped for a peaceful outcome during the standoff, the situation sadly ended in tragedy.
The standoff caused significant disruption in the University District, with nearby residents and students advised to shelter in place for the duration of the event. Law enforcement officials cordoned off several blocks surrounding the site, and campus authorities were on high alert.
Some Ohio State students expressed concerns about the university’s communication during the incident. Despite the proximity of the standoff to campus, the university did not issue a Buckeye Alert or Public Safety Notice. “We felt we should have been informed about the situation, especially given how close it was to our dorms,” said one graduate student living nearby.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the standoff. Miller’s motives remain unknown, and officials are expected to release more details as they become available.