On August 30, 2022, 20-year-old African-American man Donovan Lewis (born (2002-05-14)May 14, 2002) was shot and killed by Officer Ricky Anderson of the Columbus Division of Police (CDP) in the Hilltop neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio as officers served a warrant at his apartment. Police were serving a warrant against Lewis for domestic violence against his pregnant girlfriend, assault and improper handling of a firearm. After officers detained two men at the apartment, police opened the door to Lewis's bedroom, after which point Anderson fired a single shot at Lewis who was laying in bed.[1]
Incident
At about 2:00 AM on August 30, 2022, Columbus Police served a warrant at Lewis's apartment in the Hilltop neighborhood for improperly handling a firearm, assault, and domestic violence.[2] Officers knocked on the front door for eight to ten minutes before a resident of the apartment opened the door. Police detained him and another resident. Police released a canine unit which walked into the kitchen before approaching and barking at Lewis's bedroom door. Officer Ricky Anderson, a 30-year veteran of the department, opened the bedroom door and almost immediately fired once, hitting Lewis. Police claim Lewis was holding a vape pen in his hands but it is not visible in the recording. Lewis is then handcuffed by Officers Knox and Dodrill, who were present at the scene.[3] Police carried him outside the apartment, where they performed CPR.[4] Lewis was transported to a hospital and later pronounced dead.[1][5][6]
Investigation
Body camera footage of the shooting was released the same day as the shooting, along with footage of two recent non-fatal Columbus Police shootings.[7] The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting.[8]
On October 25, the Franklin County Coroner's Office ruled Lewis' death a homicide.[9]
On March 3, 2023, Anderson retired from the CDP "in bad standing", due to the ongoing investigations into Lewis's death.[10]
On August 4th, Anderson was indicted on charges of Reckless Homicide and murder.
Reaction
Protests were held outside the Columbus Police headquarters on September 2.[11][12][13]
Lewis's family hired attorney Rex Elliott of Cooper Elliot Personal Injury Lawyers.[14] A press conference was held at a downtown Columbus hotel on September 1.[15][16] Lewis' family sued Anderson and four other officers for $25,000.[3]
On September 7, the Columbus Division of Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the department would no longer execute pre-planned arrest warrants at private homes for misdemeanor offenses unless it is approved by a lieutenant or someone with a higher authority. The change does not apply to SWAT or task force personnel.[19]
