COLUMBUS – The administration of Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has announced a new effort to fight gun violence, teaming the Columbus Division of Police with federal authorities to find and prosecute those who supply the weapons used in violent crimes.
The announcement came on a day that saw two 14-year-old boys injured by gunfire in separate incidents in the city.
Under the new initiative, Columbus police, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will pool their resources to establish a Crime Gun Intelligence Center, using technology like ShotSpotter and evidence from crime scenes to prosecute those who sell or supply the firearms used to commit crimes.
The GCIC will feature a dedicated task force consisting of Columbus Police officers who have been deputized and trained by ATF. Additionally, ATF will provide equipment and workspace to aid the task force and special agents in their work.
The city will also coordinate with the federal agency and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute some cases at the federal level, which city officials say may result in harsher sentences and penalties for those who commit firearm-related offenses
Two teens were hurt in separate shooting incidents in Columbus Thursday night.
One of the boys walked into Nationwide Children’s Hospital just before 8:00 p.m. and told officers he was walking by some basketball courts when he heard gunshots and felt something hit his leg.
He was unable to give a location where the shooting had occurred, police said.
Officers responding to a reported shooting in the 1300 block of E. 26th Avenue at 10:45 p.m. found a 14-year-old suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
He was taken to an area hospital in critical condition and underwent surgery. Police say he is expected to survive his injuries.