Autopsy: Man killed by Columbus police while in mental health crisis shot 3 times
Bethany Bruner
An autopsy report released Thursday by the Franklin County Coroner's office said a man died after police shot him several times while he suffered an apparent mental health crisis.
Colin Jennings, 26, died on Feb. 22 after a Columbus police officer shot him three times. The bullets struck Jennings in the neck and chest, according to the report.
Body camera video released by Columbus police showed two officers responding around 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 22 to the Creekside Place Apartments on North Nelson Road on the city's East Side. Police had received a 911 call about a man with a knife having a mental health crisis.
The body camera showed Jennings coming towards officers, saying "Shoot me" and "I want to die" while holding a knife.
While Jennings is seen coming at the officers, one backed up while giving Jennings verbal commands, according to the video. The video showed one officer firing three shots as another fired a stun gun. Three shots struck Jennings.
Officers provided medical aid to Jennings at the scene until paramedics arrived. Jennings was taken to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center but died from his injuries.
A toxicology report completed as part of the autopsy showed Jennings had no mind-altering substances or alcohol in his system at the time of his death.
Jennings' mother said her son had struggled with mental health issues and that the police response was too aggressive.
After the shooting, the city's Department of Public Safety said the apartment complex where Jennings lived, which houses those struggling with mental health or addiction, had not been flagged in the department's system.
Columbus police have not identified the officer involved, citing Marsy's Law.
The shooting remains under investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.