Columbus police pushed back protesters who tried to force their way into the downtown police headquarters Tuesday evening.
Video of the encounter was posted to Twitter by protesters and Ohio State University鈥檚 student newspaper The Lantern. The video shows police pushing back protestors from the building's main entrance. Someone in the crowd deployed pepper spray during the confrontation with police officers.
Police say one officer suffered minor injuries after being hit with a stick.
Protesters have gotten into Columbus Police headquarters, which was locked by handcuffs. Police inside deployed pepper spray as protesters streamed in.
— The Lantern (@TheLantern)
Protesters at times chanted the name of Miles Jackson, a Black man killed by police at Mount Carmel St. Ann's Hospital in Westerville on Monday.
Police describe 鈥渁n exchange of gunfire鈥� with Jackson in the emergency department. Police say he was taken to the hospital after being found 鈥減assed out in a vehicle鈥� in Westerville.
The circumstances immediately before the shooting remain unclear, although the Columbus Dispatch obtained audio of Jackson鈥檚 encounter with police. It appears to include police telling him to drop a weapon just before a barrage of gunfire.
Columbus police responded to the Westerville hospital because Jackson鈥檚 arrest warrants were out of Columbus.
Mayor Andrew Ginther tweeted Tuesday evening "We share the frustrations over police killings of unarmed Black men, and we support nonviolent protests. That does not include breaking into public buildings or violence against officers."
We share the frustrations over police killings of unarmed Black men, and we support nonviolent protests. That does not include breaking into public buildings or violence against officers. Let me be clear: Violence and destruction will not be tolerated.
— Mayor Andrew Ginther (@MayorGinther)
