COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The mayor of the city of Columbus responds to an ABC 6 On Your Side investigation into the Franklin County Juvenile Court system. That’s after ABC 6 News uncovered a court order that set aside an arrest warrant for a teen charged with armed robbery. Weeks later, he’s accused of shooting at Columbus Police.
“When young people are committing violent crimes and they’re shooting at our police officers, they need to be held accountable,” Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther told ABC 6 News Wednesday.
Columbus Police said officers responded to a call off of Lockbourne Road in January after the teen gunman’s girlfriend called 911. She said Tamari Stroughter, 17, was threatening her with two separate guns.
When officers arrived, they said Stroughter began to fire at them during a three-minute chase. No officers were hurt, but a squad car was hit by a bullet. Police wanted to know why Stroughter was on the street due to a lengthy criminal record.
ABC 6 News found Stroughter was charged with an armed robbery in which a gun had been fired five months prior to the shootout. However, the lead juvenile court magistrate set Stroughter’s arrest warrant aside for that case without the signed consent from the prosecutor’s office or defense attorney. That order, which was only signed by the court magistrate, kept Stroughter out of detention.
“Given the fact that this individual was facing an armed robbery charge prior to opening fire on officers, do you believe setting aside that warrant would have been an appropriate action?” ABC 6 On Your side Reporter Mike McCarthy asked Mayor Ginther Wednesday.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Mayor Ginther responded.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said her administration continues to meet with juvenile court judges to push for the detention of dangerous young offenders.
Tamari Stroughter’s case will now go before a Franklin County grand jury. He could face more than 75 years in prison if convicted of what he is charged with now.
