Columbus Officer Shot in Robbery Incident Sues Whitehall Police Over Botched Stop

COLUMBUS, ohio – A columbus police officer, severely injured during a shootout with robbery suspects in July 2023, is suing five Whitehall police officers, alleging negligence in their handling of the suspects prior to the confrontation. The lawsuit claims the Whitehall officers’ failure to follow established police procedures directly contributed to the officer’s injuries and the overall danger to the public.

Lawsuit Alleges Negligence by Whitehall Police

The injured officer, filing the lawsuit under a pseudonym in Franklin County Common pleas Court, asserts that the Whitehall officers had multiple opportunities to safely apprehend Aden Abdullah Suche, Faisal Darod, and Abdisamad Ismail before the situation escalated into a violent confrontation on I-70. The trio had been involved in a string of robberies, including the theft of a 2020 Porsche Cayenne SUV from Byers Imports and a bank robbery in Hilliard FBI crime Data.

The lawsuit specifically accuses the Whitehall officers of failing to execute proper vehicle blocking and takedown procedures when the suspects exited the bank. It also alleges a lack of dialog regarding tracking data for the stolen vehicle and the knowledge that at least one suspect was armed.

did You Know? According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been over 20,000 deaths due to gun violence in the U.S. in 2024 alone.

according to the lawsuit, the Columbus Police Department (CPD) was unaware of the bank robbery until the bank itself contacted them, not Whitehall police. Body-worn camera footage reportedly shows a Whitehall police SUV reversing, creating an escape route for the suspects.

Sentencing and Aftermath of the I-70 Shootout

The July 6, 2023, shootout on I-70 resulted in severe injuries to the Columbus officer, who was struck five times, including a shot that severed his femur. Prosecutors stated that the officer nearly died from blood loss en route to the hospital. Abdisamad Ismail was killed during the exchange of gunfire. Faisal Darod received a 25-year federal sentence,while Aden Jama was sentenced to 13 years.

FOP Lodge 9 President Lt. Brian Steel has publicly criticized the Whitehall police operation, describing it as “one of the most poorly executed and botched police operations I have witnessed in my career.” Steel emphasized that the lawsuit is not about second-guessing but about accountability for leadership within the Whitehall Police Department.

Internal Conflict Within Whitehall Police Department

The lawsuit comes amid ongoing tensions between the FOP and Whitehall Police Chief mike Crispen, with the union having issued a vote of no confidence in the chief over a year ago. Whitehall Mayor Mike Bivens has voiced his support for Chief Crispen, and the city council has declined to investigate the department based on the union’s complaints.

Pro Tip: Understanding local government structures and police union dynamics can provide valuable context for interpreting law enforcement-related news.

Legal and Procedural Considerations

Whitehall police have declined to comment on the pending litigation. The lawsuit names the officers individually but dose not include the city of Whitehall or the police department as defendants. The case raises questions about inter-departmental communication, adherence to police protocols, and the duty of officers to prevent foreseeable harm.

Questions Raised by the Lawsuit

• Could better communication between Whitehall and Columbus police have prevented the shootout?
• What responsibility do officers have to anticipate and prevent potential harm to other officers and the public?

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