A man suspected to have been involved in a domestic violence incident was fatally shot Saturday morning by Mansfield police after a hostage situation involving the man's girlfriend and two small children, police confirmed.
According to the Mansfield Department of Police, officers responded to 200 Cline Ave. for a report of domestic violence just before 2 a.m. When police arrived they found a man at the door with a knife.
Police said the man "fled back inside the residence" with his girlfriend and her two small children inside. The man "appeared to be under the influence of drugs/alcohol," police say.
Hostage negotiators and the Richland County Allied Special Operation Response Team were called to the scene to begin negotiations. Police say hostage negotiations lasted three hours. During the negotiations, the suspect released the two children from the residence.
A "short time later," the victim tried to escape the suspect, who allegedly chased her with the knife as she ran out the back door. Police say they attempted to use "less lethal munitions" to stop the suspect, but when that didn't work, they instead shot him.
SWAT paramedics attempted to perform "life saving measures," but the suspect died at the scene. He has since been identified as Michael S. Oswalt II.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called to the scene to handle the investigation. Mansfield police said they would release more details "as they become available."
