COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Delaware County grand jury declined to indict law enforcement officers who were involved in a north Columbus highway shooting with a 21-year-old man four months ago.
On March 11, the Columbus Division of Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to Interstate 71 north of Gemini Place for reports of a man firing shots at cars traveling in the northbound lanes.
A gray Ford Fusion went off the left side of the road and hit a barrier. That was when Jonathon Myers allegedly began firing a weapon along the interstate.
Myers exchanged gunfire with law enforcement officers. Three Columbus police officers fired their weapons.
Myers was struck by police and taken into custody. He was treated for a single gunshot wound to the leg.
No officers were injured during the incident.
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office requested the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to investigate the shooting.
According to BCI records, Myers told police that he hadn't slept four days prior to the shooting and consumed a large amount of various drugs with intention of suicide.
Myers mentioned to detectives that he was wanted on previous charges. 10TV reviewed police incident reports in March and found that Myers was named in numerous reports dating back to 2010. Some of the alleged offenses included domestic violence, burglary and theft.
After reviewing the video and interviewing officers and family members, a special prosecutor presented the case to the grand jury. The jury found that the officers involved would not be charged.
Myers is facing 27 charges stemming from the shooting. Those charges include:
- Five counts of attempted murder
- Four counts of attempted aggravated murder
- Nine counts of felonious assault
- Eight counts for discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited premises
One count of having weapons while under disability
Myers initially pleaded not guilty to all charges. On June 6, Myers requested to change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity and a mental evaluation.
After the evaluation is done, the examiner will determine if Myers was suffering from a severe mental disease or defect that prevented him from knowing the wrongfulness of his actions.
Myers is being held without bond at the Delaware County Jail.