Donovan Lewis

Date: 8/20/2022          Location: Columbus, OH      FACTORS (1,2,14,19)          

Name: Donovan Lewis                                  

Criminal History/Involved: Yes, Lewis had prior arrests for domestic violence and assault. / Yes, Lewis was wanted for “a felony warrant for domestic violence, assault and improperly handling of a firearm.”             

Mental Illness: None stated.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown. / None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: Black/Male/20

Officer(s) involved: Columbus K9 Police Officer Ricky Anderson                         

What prompted the initial contact with police? A short time before 3 a.m. on August 20, 2022, Columbus police officers were serving a felony warrant at a second-floor apartment. The officers knocked, announced themselves and for around 8-10 minutes they requested Donavan Lewis come out.

Actions taken by subject towards police: Two occupants exited from the apartment and were taken into custody. When police entered the apartment and let the K9 loose, audio indicates Lewis continued ignoring their commands and closed his door.

Reactions by the police: Officers opened the closed door the K9 keyed on and immediately observed Lewis across the room “raising his right hand toward officers, while he put his left hand back toward a pillow.” Fearing Lewis was armed, Officer Anderson fired one shot striking him in the stomach. Lewis was rendered medical care, transported to a hospital, and died at 3:19 a.m.

Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: The Franklin County Prosecutor’s office is presenting the case to a grand jury.

What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Lewis could still be alive if he: did not commit assault and other crimes resulting in a warrant for his arrest; complied with the officer’s commands and exited the apartment with his hands up; did not close the door on the K9 officer; did not make a sudden movement as officers opened his door.

Miscellaneous: The object Lewis was holding in his hand ended up being a vape pen.

Justified Use of Deadly Force? YES, given that one of the crimes indicated on the warrant was for a firearm, Lewis ignored their commands for nearly 10 minutes and closed his bedroom door when they entered the apartment, the officers had reasonable cause to believe that when they opened that door and observed him with something in his hand it was a weapon and he intended to use it.