Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
The Columbus Division of Police is investigating a shooting in a South Linden neighborhood Friday morning involving a paid Meals On Wheels worker and a suspected armed robber.
"He defended himself, somebody tried to rob him," said Manorris, who says he and several neighbors after hearing gunfire, went to assist a well-known Meals-On-Wheels driver who was robbed at gunpoint just minutes after dropping off food to someone's home on East 18th Avenue.
"We know him because we see him coming through here every day being charitable, delivering meals," said Manorris.
Columbus Police say the man shot at a teenage suspect, wounding him when the juvenile and an accomplice attempted to rob the worker both at gunpoint as he got into his car.
"We immediately said, we know we have to help him, we know he is defending himself, we wanted to help the kid as well," said Manorris.
A 14-year-old teen suspect was rushed to a nearby hospital and is expected to recover. Columbus Police now searching for a second suspect who ran off with the worker's stolen phone and wallet.
Lifecare Alliance the organization that runs the Meals On Wheels program, tells ABC 6/FOX 28 in a statement:
"This was a horrible incident, very unfortunate."
"Don't want volunteers not to feel safe....do not encourage people to carry a weapon."
Lifecare Alliance, says the employee, who is a retired police officer, passed several employment background checks and the organization was not aware the employee carried a firearm while making deliveries.
Columbus Police say the worker has a valid CCW permit, and no charges are expected to be filed against him in connection with the shooting.
Charges against the two robbery suspects are pending.