**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
March 20, 2026
The incident on March 14 that resulted in the tragic deaths of two innocent motorists is heartbreaking. Our thoughts remain with their families and loved ones as they continue to deal with an unimaginable loss.
The facts are clear. Columbus Police officers attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle connected to a recent shooting. The driver, a violent repeat offender, made the reckless and deliberate decision to flee from police at a high rate of speed, crashing into and killing two innocent people. Let me be clear: the responsibility for this terrible outcome rests solely with the individual who chose to run.
Our community expects, and deserves, police officers who will take action when violent offenders are identified. Ignoring a vehicle connected to a shooting would be a complete failure of duty. Officers are tasked with protecting the public and removing dangerous individuals from our streets, and that is exactly what they were attempting to do.
The loss of innocent life in this incident is tragic. But we must not allow a false narrative to take hold that blames the officers who were doing their job. I fully support the men and women of Capital City Lodge 9 who put themselves at risk every day to keep this community safe, and I will continue to push back against any attempt to place responsibility for this offender’s actions on them unfairly.
Brian Steel
President
FOP
Capital City Lodge 9