HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A Warren County man was shot and killed by police Sunday night after pointing a gun at officers, according to authorities.
Hamilton Township Police said in a Tuesday press conference they responded to a home on the 1200 block of Adams Road after a 911 call came in at 6:18 p.m. Sunday about a man armed with a weapon, who threatened to harm himself.
"He has a handgun — now saying (the caller) heard a shot as she was walking to the neighbors," a dispatcher said during the call.
Officers arrived on scene at 6:25 p.m. and nine minutes after, they contacted the Warren County SWAT team for assistance. The officers began securing the perimeter when the man appeared with a gun.
"He emerged on the back porch where he had a firearm in his hand and at 6:55 p.m., he points the firearm at our officers," said Hamilton Township police Chief Scott Hughes.
The Warren County Coroner's Office has identified the man shot and killed as Anthony Williams, 57.
The Hamilton Township Police doesn't wear body cameras, Hughes said during the press conference, but officials are looking into making them mandatory.
The two officers involved in the incident are Sgt. Chris Wall, a 22-year veteran, and Officer Josh Clift, who started at the department last year. Hughes said as part of department procedure, the two officers are on administrative leave to cope with the incident and will be required to see a licensed psychologist before resuming duty.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) was notified at 7:07 p.m. Sunday and is looking into the case, to which Hughes said there are many details the department can't release yet.
The Williams' family released a statement Monday, thanking the officers and said their grandma was in the house with him at the time.
“We are extremely thankful no officers were harmed yesterday and we want to personally thank every officer who responded and put themselves at risk on a daily basis. It was a tragic event, but thanks to the Hamilton (Township) police and (the Warren County Sheriff’s Office), our grandma is alive today. We very much so back the blue and are glad no one else was harmed. We ask everyone to respect our privacy during this time," the statement reads.
The Ohio BCI is investigating whether the use of force was justified.
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