COLUMBUS – Police say quick observations by employees and patrons witnessing a machete attack at an Ohio restaurant helped authorities track down the fleeing suspect, who was fatally shot in a confrontation with officers a few miles away.
UPDATE: Police have identified the suspect as Mohamed Barry, 30. The victims have been identified as: William Foley,54, in critical but stable condition; Gerald Russell,43, in stable condition; Debbie Russell, 43, in stable condition and Neil McMeekin,43, who was treated and released.
The man stormed into the Nazareth Restaurant and Deli, 2239 N. Hamilton Road, Thursday evening and started attacking people, police spokesman Sgt. Rich Weiner said.
Four people were taken to Grant Medical Center with injuries. Although one victim was listed in critical condition, all are expected to be OK.
The restaurant’s owner told the Columbus Dispatch that he believes his business was targeted because he is an Israeli.
The man fled the scene in a car and led police on a short chase.
Witnesses provided a description of the vehicle, which was spotted by special duty officers who tried to stop it by initiating a “positional immobilization technique” which was unsuccessful, according to Weiner.
As the man drove southbound on Stelzer Road from Morse Crossing, Weiner said officers were attempting a second PIT maneuver when the vehicle stopped and was forced to the curb near Montclair Drive, approximately five miles away from the restaurant.
As officers converged on the scene, the man got out of the vehicle with a machete in one hand and a knife in the other. Weiner says officers deployed a Taser to keep him from running away but it was ineffective and the suspect lunged at one of the officers.
Weiner says Ofc. John Johnson opened fire, hitting the man multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have not released the names of the assailant or the victims
It’s unclear what sparked the attacks. The investigation is ongoing.