COLUMBUS, Ohio — A suspect who Columbus police say was charging at people with a knife was fatally shot by police Monday night. The Franklin County Coroner's Office identified the suspect as 35-year-old Noel Hernandez.
According to Columbus Police Sgt. Joe Albert, officers with the Columbus Division of Police were called about a male charging at vehicles with a knife. Albert said multiple callers reported that he was in the middle of the street charging at people walking by.
When officers arrived, Albert said they found Hernandez outside of a vehicle with what appeared to be an edged weapon in his hand. He added that officers told Hernandez to show them his hands, but he ignored the commands. The suspect got into a car and drove away.
Officers followed behind Hernandez who was driving on Georgesville Road. Shortly after turning onto Sullivant Avenue, Albert said he stopped his vehicle and got out with the weapon in his hand.
Officers told Hernandez again to show them his hands in English and Spanish. He reportedly ignored the commands and got back into his vehicle and drove away once more.
Hernandez drove to the intersection of Sullivant Avenue and Industrial Mile Road where he reportedly got out of the car again with the weapon in his hand and started walking toward oncoming traffic.
Albert said officers followed behind Hernandez and one officer deployed their stun gun at him, but it was unsuccessful. At that time, Hernandez turned around and reportedly charged at officers with the weapon in his hand.
Multiple officers discharged their firearms, striking Hernandez at least once, according to Albert.
Hernandez was taken to Doctors Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:49 p.m. No officers were injured.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation.