Shooter injured in Clay Township police chase
Brookville Star
2018-12-05
Marilyn McConahay
Contributing Writer
CLAY TOWNSHIP - Sounds of sirens could be heard last Friday around 12:30 p.m. as law enforcement personnel from all over the west side of Montgomery County raced toward the Clay Township Administration Building on Arlington Road north of Interstate 70 after employees inside the building thought they had heard the sound of gunfire.
"One officer ran outside to see what was going on and saw the shooter in his car," said Chief Sheriff's Deputy Rob Streck.
At that point, the shooter then took off east into the township.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is the agency heading up the investigation into the incident.
"The officer immediately put out a call for assistance over the radio, " said Streck. "As the pursuit continued, the OSP put down stop sticks. They were effective.
"The car came to a stop on Kimmel Road near South Diamond Mill Road," said Streck. "This is where the shooting occurred in which the gunman was shot."
During the chase, the suspect fired shots from his car and officers shot back. No police officers were shot, but the shooter, Streck said, was injured and was taken to Miami Valley Hospital for treatment.
Streck on Monday morning said the name of the suspect was not being released at that time because the case was still under investigation. The shooter's condition also was unknown.
"We hope to find out all our information and take the case to the Grand Jury as soon as possible," Streck said.
Multiple law enforcement sources later identified the suspect as Aaron Mitchell, 40.
The Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office ha not approved formal charges against Mitchell, a spokesman said Monday.
Streck said investigators are trying to determine a motive for the shooting.
"We do not know why he did it," Streck said.
At least 38 officers were assigned to the incident, including officers from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Dayton, Clay Township, Trotwood and other agencies, according to dispatch records.
It as been reported that Mitchell made some "strange statements" to police authorities at some point.
A Clay Township resident, Gary Horstman, who serves on the township's Board of Zoning Appeals, was walking out of the township building when he noticed the man who turned out to be the shooter sitting in a black car racing the engine, but thought it was probably a backfire.
Streck has indicated more information will be forthcoming as this case progresses.
"One officer ran outside to see what was going on and saw the shooter in his car," said Chief Sheriff's Deputy Rob Streck.
At that point, the shooter then took off east into the township.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is the agency heading up the investigation into the incident.
"The officer immediately put out a call for assistance over the radio, " said Streck. "As the pursuit continued, the OSP put down stop sticks. They were effective.
"The car came to a stop on Kimmel Road near South Diamond Mill Road," said Streck. "This is where the shooting occurred in which the gunman was shot."
During the chase, the suspect fired shots from his car and officers shot back. No police officers were shot, but the shooter, Streck said, was injured and was taken to Miami Valley Hospital for treatment.
Streck on Monday morning said the name of the suspect was not being released at that time because the case was still under investigation. The shooter's condition also was unknown.
"We hope to find out all our information and take the case to the Grand Jury as soon as possible," Streck said.
Multiple law enforcement sources later identified the suspect as Aaron Mitchell, 40.
The Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office ha not approved formal charges against Mitchell, a spokesman said Monday.
Streck said investigators are trying to determine a motive for the shooting.
"We do not know why he did it," Streck said.
At least 38 officers were assigned to the incident, including officers from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Dayton, Clay Township, Trotwood and other agencies, according to dispatch records.
It as been reported that Mitchell made some "strange statements" to police authorities at some point.
A Clay Township resident, Gary Horstman, who serves on the township's Board of Zoning Appeals, was walking out of the township building when he noticed the man who turned out to be the shooter sitting in a black car racing the engine, but thought it was probably a backfire.
Streck has indicated more information will be forthcoming as this case progresses.