A Dayton man is dead following an officer-involved shooting on I-77 at the Schneider’s crossing exit in Tuscarawas County.
According to the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called in to assist Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers with a man, later identified as 34-year-old Kendall Floyd Woodard, in his vehicle.
Officials say the patrol had stopped to check on a disabled vehicle with they encountered Woodard who demonstrated concerning behaviors.
The Patrol had requested an ambulance, and then a CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) trained Deputy to assist with Woodard.
Officials say Troopers and the Deputy attempted to help Woodard over the next several hours by attempting to talk him into getting some medical help.
It is reported that the units on scene made exhaustive efforts to include retrieving him food and drink, offering crisis services and assuring him repeatedly that they only wanted to get him help.
EMS from the Dover Fire Department also assisted with these efforts to convince Woodard to get help.
According to officials, near the end of the incident Woodard brandished a handgun and pointed the weapon at law enforcement which resulted in the Officer Involved shooting.
The weapon was still in Woodard’s hand when it was recovered. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ohio BCI and the Tuscawaras County Sheriff, Orvis L. Campbell, were called upon to conduct the investigation into the incident.
Sheriff Campbell says that the preliminary review of the incident reveals that the Deputy, Troopers and EMS had worked towards and hoped for a peaceful medical transport.
He said law enforcement was not even aware that Woodard possessed a weapon until it was brandished and the shooting occurred.
Officials say the Troopers and the Deputy attempted to render first aid after the shooting without success.
According to officials, neither the Troopers nor the Deputy were injured during the event.
Campbell says that the investigation will reveal that all of the law enforcement on scene acted honorably and as trained and that the community will be proud of their extensive efforts during the long incident even though it ended tragically.
Campbell sends thanks to the civilian witness, the Dover Fire Department, The Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office for their assistance on scene and to the Sheriff 911 telecommunicators for their import role as things unfolded.
