ONTARIO, Ohio — A suspect was arrested in Richland County after he shot an officer and a woman who was held hostage Sunday night, police said.
At 8:47 p.m., officers with the Ontario Police Department were called to Landings at Walker Lake on Landings Court because of someone violating a protection order. The 911 caller told police that the suspect was also armed.
The suspect, who police identified as 32-year-old Jareth Vance of Perrysville, confronted officers when they arrived as he held a woman hostage at gunpoint.
Police said officers tried to rescue the woman, but Vance fired shots at them. One of the officers was struck at least once. Additionally, Vance shot the woman at least once when she escaped his control.
Vance barricaded himself inside an apartment unit where he held a 16-year-old hostage, according to police.
Hostage negotiators and other law enforcement agencies were called to assist the situation, including the Richland County Sheriff's Office, Mansfield Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Police said there was a standoff between Vance and law enforcement that lasted four hours until he surrendered. The 16-year-old hostage was rescued unharmed.
The injured officer, identified by Ontario Police chief Tommy Hill as 29-year-old Dylan Bailey, a six-year veteran of the department, was taken to a hospital for treatment and his condition was described as stable.
The condition of the woman who was shot is also described as stable.
Police said in a press conference on Monday that they issued a warrant for attempted aggravated murder and he could face additional charges. He is currently in Franklin County Jail.
"This is one of those calls that you train for, but you can never prepare for all of the other people who are there. This was a situation where you have people that are coming out - we couldn't get some of the people to move," said Ontario Police chief Tommy Hill. "When I watch this [bodycamera footage], my heart just sank. This is the worst situation you never want your officers to be involved in."
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