COLUMBUS, Ohio — An investigation found the man who was killed during an altercation with law enforcement in a downtown Columbus parking garage last year took his own life.
The incident happened just before 10 a.m. on March 7, 2022 in the garage on East Fulton Street.
According to a report by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, 34-year-old Rayshawn Meeks was a backseat passenger in a vehicle that arrived at the garage.
Once the vehicle pulled into a parking space, Meeks attacked the driver from behind then exited and began fighting with another passenger in the car.
An officer with Clinton Township was in the garage and attempted to break up the fight between Meeks and another man.
Ohio BCI says Meeks attacked the officer and then was ordered to lie on the ground by two deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office who arrived on the scene moments later.
As he continued to resist, Meeks was able to take the officer’s revolver. After pointing the weapon, Meeks turned it toward himself and fired one shot.
Meeks was given first aid until medics arrived and transported him to Grant Medical Center, where he died from his injuries about a week later.
An autopsy by the Franklin County Coroner’s Office found the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and ruled the manner of death as suicide.
Based on these reports, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office said it will not seek criminal charges against the civilians or law enforcement involved.
