Man shot by officers during standoff dies

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A man who reportedly fired shots at police from a Mansfield home died after he was shot by officers Tuesday, ending a standoff lasting more than 26 hours.

Richland County Coroner Stewart Ryckman confirmed that 58-year-old David Parker died after he was shot by law enforcement officers. Ryckman said no other details on Parker’s death were immediately available.

The shooting brought an end to the confrontation that began around 8:30 a.m. Monday.

Mansfield Law Director John Spon said a gas company worker went to the home to turn off the gas after residents failed to respond to efforts to conduct a regular leak test. The utility worker called 911 after Parker came to the door with an assault rifle, Spon said.

“The employee then basically fled the area, immediately calling 911, and that’s what started this off,” he said.

Spon said Parker — who hadn’t been charged Tuesday before he died — shot at officers throughout the day Monday, and was “definitely shooting with intent to kill law enforcement officers.”

Throughout the ordeal, police peacefully asked Parker to come out about 300 times, Spon said.

As the standoff stretched into the evening, authorities turned a fire hose on the home, trying to flush Parker out. Spon said crews tried similar efforts Tuesday morning, and the home likely suffered significant damage due to flooding.

The home in Mansfield, which is about 70 miles north of Columbus, is believed to be owned by Parker’s brother, who has been living out of the country.

Police also tried using robots with cameras in the standoff, but Parker shot at at least one of the devices, Spon said.

Police haven’t commented on possible motives. Spon said efforts to get Parker to talk to one or two individuals who knew him weren’t successful.

Neighbors were asked to leave the area amid the standoff. Electric and gas were also shut off at the home and others nearby.

Bomb squad officials planned to search the home Tuesday. Some that knew Parker indicated to police that he had expertise in explosives, Spon said.