FINDLAY, Ohio — Findlay police held a press conference Thursday regarding the death of a teenager whom officers shot after police said the teen fled and fired shots at law enforcement last month.
"We're here for the male teenager that fired a handgun at our Findlay police officers and died as a result of his actions," Findlay Police Chief James Mathias said at the start of the press conference.
Police received a 911 call on Oct. 28 at 6:28 p.m. regarding underage drinking at a city park. Police spoke to juveniles at the scene, one of whom - 17-year-old Kalvin Darapheth - fled police. An officer began pursuing Darapheth.
According to police, Darapheth fired two shots at the officer. The officer returned fire, shooting at Darapheth eight times.
Mathias also said the incident involved two other juveniles: a 16-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy. They were not injured.
"This was a dangerous and tragic situation," Mathias said during the press conference. "Our officers are trained to respond to threats of violence, especially when a gun is involved. A handgun was recovered. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who were a part of this incident...as a department... and also for the loss of a life."
Darapheth was shot "multiple" times, according to the coroner's report. Police said they immediately rendered first aid and Darapheth was transported to the hospital, where he later died.
Bodycam video
Findlay police showed the officer's bodycam footage during the press conference.
The first video from an officer's body camera shows a person, whom police said was Darapheth, flee officers. Two gunshots are heard, which officers said came from Darapheth. Then eight gunshots are heard, followed by additional gunshots. Police said in the press conference they are not sure from where the last several gunshots came, but said they did not come from Findlay police.
The officers are then seen attempting to speak to Darapheth. They are pointing their firearms at him. They then move to Darapheth, who is seen lying on the ground, and recover what appears to be a firearm from his person.
Police then showed parts of the video in slow motion, indicating where they said sparks of bullets from Darapheth's gun could be seen.
The second video showed the bodycam video from the second officer who chased after Darapheth and stopped at the railroad tracks to fire eight shots.
The officer instructs Darapheth to "get down" and, once Darapheth is down and lying in the grass, the officers instruct him to discard his gun. The officer is heard calling for EMS, and saying Darapheth has "at least one gunshot wound" and a head injury.
Police said officers began rendering first aid after the conclusion of the bodycam video.
Continued investigation into the incident
Per standard protocol and policy, Mathias said both officers were placed on traumatic incident leave. Mathias said the department cooperated in the investigation with the Ohio BCI and the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, and provided training records and personnel files.
Witness interviews were conducted by BCI last week, police said.
The incident is still under investigation by the Ohio BCI, Mathias said, but added he believed his officers acted properly in the incident.
The name of the officers involved are not being released at this time, Mathias said.
According to Findlay police, Darapheth had a criminal background, but police said they could not provide any further information.
The full press conference can be watched below: