The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man shot and killed by law enforcement early Friday in Dover at the Schneiders Crossing exit off of I-77S.
The man who died has been identified as 34-year-old Kendell Floyd Woodard, of Dayton.
The incident occurred when Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers stopped to assist with a disabled 1994 red Chevrolet pick-up truck that was partially in the roadway along the exit. When responding troopers made contact with Woodard, they noticed “concerning” behavior regarding his welfare, prompting them to request assistance from a Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s deputy who possessed crisis intervention training due to the mental health nature of the situation.
Over more than three hours, responding law enforcement officers made multiple attempts to reason with Woodard.
“The units on scene made exhaustive efforts to include retrieving him food and drink, offering crisis services and assuring him repeatedly that they only wanted to get him help,” Sheriff Orvis Campbell said.
The situation escalated around 5:30 a.m. when officials say Woodard brandished a firearm, resulting in gunfire from responding troopers and the deputy, leading to his death on the scene. No officers were injured.
Sheriff Campbell said responding law enforcement officials were unaware that Woodard was in possession of a firearm until he brandished it and pointed it at officers.
“I believe that the investigation will reveal that all of the law enforcement on scene acted honorably and as trained and that this community will be proud of their extensive efforts during this long incident even though it ended tragically,” Sheriff Campbell said.
The incident is under investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
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