Police in New Philadelphia say a man wrestled a gun away from an officer and fired it before being arrested. No one was hurt.
NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio — Officials in New Philadelphia say a suspect who had multiple active felony warrants against him wrestled a gun away from a police officer and fired it Wednesday morning before eventually being arrested.
According to a press release from the city, officers initially responded to the 1800 block of East High Avenue just after 8 a.m. for a “welfare check” of a man laying against a tree in the woods. Upon speaking with the individual, authorities claim he “provided false identity information” for a period exceeding 30 minutes before police finally identified him as a 25-year-old Stark County resident who was wanted for alleged crimes “carrying a Targeted Violent Offender designation.”
As the officers attempted to arrest the suspect, the man apparently ran into the woods before being tackled to the ground. The city claims the man then took one of the officer’s guns from his holster and fired a single round before stating “I am going to keep shooting” when asked to put the weapon down.
“Officers were able to quickly regain control of the firearm and successfully take the suspect into custody,” the release said of what happened next. No one was injured.
3News later spoke to New Philadelphia Police Chief Tessa Pohovey on Thursday. She told us that officers were able to quickly pin the suspect’s arm down, but he still managed to pull the trigger.
However, Pohovey says the gun malfunctioned after being fired that first time — something the chief called a critical turning point.
“It did fire, but then it malfunctioned, which put it out of battery,” Pohovey explained.
Police released body camera video of the encounter. In the footage, an officer can be heard asking the suspect if his name is Dylan Ritter, and when the suspect nods, the officer asks him to get up. The suspect then runs before a scuffle ensues and a gunshot is heard around the 20-second mark. The officers then hold the suspect on the ground before turning him over and handcuffing him.
WARNING: Video contains graphic language and content. Viewer discretion is advised.
The suspect is currently being held at the Tuscarawas County Jail. Authorities say criminal charges are pending — and that the final outcome could’ve been far worse for all involved.
“At that point, they’re fighting for their lives,” Pohovey said of her officers. “They don’t know what’s going to happen.”