A man accused of firing at law enforcement officers during a pursuit in Harrison County died Monday after being involved in three separate officer-involved shootings, authorities said.
Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and deputies from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 53-year-old Michael Decker.
According to investigators, the incident began shortly after 11:35 a.m. when deputies attempted a routine traffic stop on U.S. Route 250 near Eslick Road in Franklin Township. Decker, a passenger in the vehicle, fled after an exchange of gunfire, prompting a pursuit involving multiple agencies.
Authorities said a tire deflation device was later deployed on U.S. Route 22 near Hopedale. At that point, Decker exited the vehicle and fired multiple shots at officers, striking a patrol vehicle before fleeing into a wooded area.
A large-scale manhunt followed, involving local, state and federal agencies. After several hours, Decker was located in a wooded area near Mine Road in Green Township.
Officials said troopers from the Highway Patrol’s Aviation Unit issued repeated verbal commands for Decker to surrender. When those commands were not followed, a third officer-involved shooting occurred as officers attempted to take him into custody.
Decker was pronounced dead at the scene.
No serious injuries to law enforcement officers were reported, though at least one patrol vehicle was struck by gunfire.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is reviewing all three officer-involved shootings.
Harrison County Sheriff Mark Touville said in a statement that his office is grateful for the assistance of numerous agencies, including the Cadiz Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Drug Task Force, Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The investigation remains ongoing.
