Sunday, June 3, 2012

Columbus, OH: Hostage situation leaves one dead

COLUMBUS -- A man was shot and killed by SWAT officers on Tuesday after a domestic dispute at a Columbus home turned into a hourlong hostage situation, police said.

Officers responding to a domestic violence call on the city's west side around 3 p.m. discovered 28-year-old Kevin Scott Boozer yelling outside of his parents' home, said Sgt. Rich Weiner, a police spokesman.

As the officers approached, Boozer shoved a woman into the house, went inside and locked the door, Weiner said. The officers heard breaking glass and other commotion inside the house -- "it sounded really bad" -- and tried unsuccessfully to make contact with Boozer, he said.

As a SWAT team arrived, Boozer broke several windows, including one that he shattered using a small end table, police said. Officers surrounding the house heard the woman pleading for mercy, saying "please don't hurt me, please don't hurt me anymore," Weiner said.

Fearing the woman was in serious danger, officers entered the home and found Boozer holding a knife to her throat, the sergeant said. The officers opened fire, hitting Boozer and freeing the woman.

The woman had been beaten, Weiner said. She was taken to a hospital with numerous bruises to her face, cuts to her arm and a broken wrist.

Boozer was pronounced dead at the scene. A knife was recovered, Weiner said.

Boozer's relatives identified the woman as his girlfriend. They told investigators that Boozer was high on bath salts at the time of the standoff, which Weiner said police haven't confirmed.

"Obviously he was in some type of crisis," he said.

An autopsy will be performed.

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