Columbus mayor organizes neighborhood meetings after fatal shooting

COLUMBUS (AP) — The Columbus mayor has directed community relations staff to meet with neighbors and clergy after the fatal shooting of a man by two plainclothes officers who said the man opened fire on them.

The officers were members of Mayor Andrew Ginther’s Community Safety Initiative, a summer program meant to reduce violence, take illegal guns of the streets and build trust between residents and police.

The Columbus Dispatch reports today that black leaders and clergy members met with police officers and Ginther staff members Monday to discuss the June 6 shooting of 23-year-old Henry Green.

Police say they opened fire after Green, who was black, ignored commands to drop his gun.

Green’s family and a friend walking with him say police didn’t identify themselves when they began yelling at Green.