Ava Ellis, A 4-Year Old Ohio Girl, Was Recently Shot In A Police Shooting As The Columbus Officer As He Was Allegedly Aiming At A Charging Dog While Following-Up On Hit And Run Accident.
The family of 4-year-old Ava Ellis, who was recently shot in a police shooting by a Columbus police officer, has retained the services of Michael Wright, a founding partner with the law firm of Wright & Schulte LLC. Ava Ellis was shot in her leg after a police officer was allegedly aiming at a charging dog. She was taken to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital where she was listed in stable condition.
According to a report from the Columbus Dispatch, the officer went to a house in the 4100 block of Chandler Drive about 3:10 p.m. on June 19 to investigate a hit-and-run incident. The officer was walking away from the home to his car when a woman a few houses away called him and said her sister, Andrea Ellis, who is Ava Ellis’ mother, had cut herself.
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The Columbus Dispatch further reports that the police shooting occurred after the officer came to the doorway of the Ellis residence and the dog charged him. The officer fired his gun, but missed the dog and hit the girl, Ava Ellis, in her right leg. According to the report, it is not clear whether the officer shot the girl directly or she was struck by a ricochet. Ava Ellis is listed in stable condition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Her mother Andrea Ellis was taken to Ohio Health Grant Medical Center for Treatment of the cut.
The Ellis’ neighbor, Gary Parsley told Columbus News Station WBNS-10TV, that the officer came to his house to follow up on the hit-and-run case which Mr. Parsley had been involved in two weeks prior to the shooting incident. Mr. Parsley said that after the officer left his house, his neighbor, which turned out to be Andrea Ellis’ sister, ran to the officer and pleaded for help because her sister needed “medical attention.” Mr. Parsley said he went back into his house and heard a loud gunshot a few seconds later. The news station also reported Mr. Parsley overhearing the officer being asked, “Why would you try to shoot the dog?” and the officer responding that the dog was attacking him, “or something like that” and then a woman saying, “You shot my kid!”
“This was a reckless act and there was absolutely no consideration for the safety of children. The Columbus police department from their mission statement and core values state ‘Discipline is Exhibiting proper conduct and self-control in the face of adversity through a commitment to training and organizational standards.’ WE did not see that in this situation.” – Michael Wright
The officer was later identified by the Columbus Police Department as Jonathan Thomas, who has been with the department for five years. The Ellis family did not respond to a Columbus Dispatch representative who came to the home after the shooting.[dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/06/21/officer-who-accidentally-shot-whitehall-girl-idd.html, June 21, 2015]
Mr. Wright is currently representing the family of John Crawford III, a 21-year-old Cincinnati man who was fatally shot by police on August 5th 2014 in the Walmart in Beavercreek, Ohio. Mr. Crawford was holding a Pellet air rifle and talking on his cellphone when he was shot and killed by Beavercreek police officers. A lawsuit has been filed and Attorney General, Loretta Lynch is currently looking into the legalities of the Walmart shooting.
About Wright & Schulte LLC
Wright & Schulte LLC, an experienced personal injury firm, is dedicated to the belief that America’s legal system should work for the people. If you or a loved one were seriously injured because of someone else’s negligence and you’re looking for an Ohio personal injury law firm that will guarantee the caring, personalized and loyal representation you deserve, please do not hesitate to contact Wright & Schulte LLC today. Ohio state law sets a two-year statute of limitations for lawsuits regarding personal injury, medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and property damage, so it’s important to act quickly. For a free, no obligation legal evaluation of your case, simply fill out the online form on the right, or give Wright & Schulte LLC a call, at (937)-222-7477.
