JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) – A wanted fugitive is dead and a SWAT team member is injured after a police standoff situation in Jackson Township on Monday.
The FOX 8 I-Team first confirmed that US Marshals were tracking a fugitive, which led to an incident that closed down Interstate 77.
According to US Marshals, members of the Northern Ohio Fugitive Task Force tracked down the suspect to a hotel in the 6800 block of Sunset Strip Avenue.
Investigators say the fugitive was wanted out of West Virginia for a federal weapons offense.
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During the attempted arrest, US Marshals say the suspect pointed a firearm at them and barricaded himself inside a hotel room.
A Canton Regional SWAT team responded to the standoff situation, and according to US Marshals, the suspect fired multiple shots toward officers, striking a SWAT team member and a law enforcement vehicle.
The officer was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
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Investigators say the suspect was shot by officers during the shootout. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers found two firearms and spent bullet casings inside the hotel room.
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“Today, this fugitive with an extensive violent criminal history dating back to the 1970s attempted to kill officers on scene during the arrest,” said US Marshal Pete Elliott in a press release. “Unfortunately, one officer was shot but all officers on scene responded with professionalism, commitment and dedication to safely resolve the situation.”
According to OHGo, I-77 was closed both northbound and southbound in Stark County, near the Summit County line, Monday just after 1 p.m.
The interstate reopened around 2 p.m.
A dispatcher with the Ohio State Highway Patrol told FOX 8 the initial call out was for a report of shots fired.
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Police say Sunset Strip NW was closed in the area as well.
Canton Police confirmed to FOX 8 that its SWAT team members assisted at the scene.
Stay with FOX 8 for updates.
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