Police: Girl appeared to be holding rifle

COLUMBUS (AP) — A 16-year-old girl shot twice by a police officer after she refused to drop what appeared to be a rifle actually was holding an air gun, police said Friday.

Regina Jennings of Columbus was in stable condition at Ohio State University Medical Center, police said Friday. Jennings was shot in each shoulder, and did not have life-threatening injuries, police spokeswoman Amanda Ford said.

The air rifle found at the scene resembles a large assault rifle and fires pellets, Ford said. Air guns use compressed air or gas to launch a projectile, such as a pellet, or can be used to spray paint.

Officer Adam Hicks and another officer saw Jennings standing near the door of the Express Market Drive-Thru Wednesday night with what appeared to be a rifle partially concealed beneath a blanket, police said.

Hicks and the other officer said Jennings ignored commands to drop the gun, and Hicks shot her when he felt threatened, according to police.

Jennings mother said her daughter had gone to the store with her boyfriend who went inside to buy food. Patricia Jennings said her daughter did not have a weapon and was holding her boyfriend’s pit-bull puppy in a blanket. The dog ran away when her daughter fell, Patricia Jennings said.

Ford said charges were expected to be filed against Regina Jennings. Ford said she could not say what those charges would be or when they would be filed.