Boardman man charged following police shooting

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Boardman police have charged the man who was shot by an officer, Robert Swope, 30, with felonious assault, fleeing and eluding and receiving stolen property.

Boardman police say Swope attempted to run the officer over with a stolen vehicle.

Police went to Shell True North gas station on Market Street about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, on the report of a man begging outside for money.

Officers were told Swope left and drove toward U.S. Route 224 in a gray Chevrolet Malibu. Police attempted to stop the car at CVS Pharmacy on Market Street.

As one officer attempted to approach the vehicle, Swope backed up and hit the cruiser, a report states. Swope pulled forward and attempted to drive backward again, and almost hit the police officer and pinned him in between the cruiser and the Malibu.

The officer fired his weapon at the car, and hit Swope in his left leg. There were three bullet holes found in the driver’s side door.

Swope eventually pulled away and started driving down Route 224. Another officer chased the vehicle until Swope surrendered to police at a Shell gas station on Boardman-Canfield Road.

The officer is off duty while an internal investigation is being done. Swope is still at St. Elizabeth Health Center for the gunshot wound.