Testimony on police shooting of Ohio CHL-holder Casey Goodson reveals new details
The Columbus Dispatch is reporting on details from a court hearing which shed new light on the shooting of Ohio CHL-holder Casey Goodson by a Franklin County Sheriff's deputy over one year ago.
At the time of the shooting, Peter Tobin, the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio who was later forced to apologize for having spoken too soon in deeming the deputy' actions to be "justified," told reporters that Goodson drove by fugitive task force officers waving a handgun.
According to new court testimony, the only person who is reported to have seen Goodson "waving a handgun" is the same deputy who is charged with shooting him five times in the back and once in the buttock. A Columbus police officer testified that this deputy - Jason Meade - is also apparently the only person who claims to have seen a weapon in Goodson's hands as he attempted to enter his residence. The officer's testimony also contradicted initial reports that there were no witnesses at the time of the shooting.
From the article:
Columbus police officer Ryan Rosser, who served on the task force with Meade that day, testified Friday that members of the team "geared down" following an unsuccessful search for a fugitive, meaning they had taken off their bulletproof vests.
Meade said he had seen someone waving a gun, and the team suited back up and pursued a vehicle that Meade had pointed out, Rosser testified.
Rosser said he saw a man, later identified as Goodson, standing outside a vehicle and he did not see anything in Goodson's hands. He said he heard Meade, who he estimated was 20 yards closer to Goodson, saying: "Show me your hands."
While initial reports were that lack of eye witnesses and the lack of body cameras was complicating the investigation, we now know of at least once officer who says he was just 20 yards away moments before the shooting.
It had previously been reported by a civilian witness who spoke withThe New York Times that others were almost immediately present as well, and they were wearing plain cloths and were not identifiable as law enforcement officers. The deputy's attorney has also revealed that he was driving an unmarked vehicle.
As I have written previously, "Most will agree that it is best to withhold judgment until all the facts come in. But I hope that all concealed handgun license-holders will agree that this situation is very concerning."
The Second Amendment community is very pro-law enforcement. We realize that the law enforcement officers are trying to keep us safe – that’s why they exist. This is why some are hesitant to speak into these situations too soon, because we don’t have all the information.
However, it is not making a judgment call to ask questions, and I believe there ARE questions about this case that all law-abiding gun owners should want to have answered.
That is why I continue to encourage the Second Amendment rights community to join the call for the fair and impartial investigation that both Casey and the deputy deserve. And I have been pleased that the majority of the feedback we have received has been very supportive.
Chad D. Baus served as Buckeye Firearms Association Secretary from 2013-2019, and continues to serve on the Board of Directors. He is co-founder of BFA-PAC, and served as its Vice Chairman for 15 years. He is the editor of BuckeyeFirearms.org, which received the Outdoor Writers of Ohio 2013 Supporting Member Award for Best Website, and is also an NRA-certified firearms instructor.
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