2 dead, several others injured, as police investigate 4 shootings in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Two people were fatally shot and several other were hurt in four separate shootings across Columbus, Ohio early Saturday morning.

Several victims remained in critical condition at an area hospital, Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said.

Police received the first reports of gunfire at about 2:30 a.m. EDT.After officers arrived at that scene, "more shots were fired a short distance away from the original location," according to a statement from Columbus police.

The statement said officers responded to the second scene and returned fire. Multiple shooting victims between the two scenes were found, although the police statement did not specify who shot whom.

Bryant said at a news conference that "multiple officers returned fire," but did not indicate whether they shot anyone. No officers were physically injured, Bryant said.

I say 'physically' because obviously it takes a toll on them when things like this occur," said Bryant, making a point about her officers' mental health.

Bryant then said the second shooting took place less than an hour later in the South Linden neighborhood.

The chief said five people were shot at this location, including one who died from a self-inflicted gunshot. That person, whose identity has not yet been released, was the suspect, Bryant said. Among the others, two were reported to be in critical condition and one was stable.

Then, at 4:41 a.m., officers were called to another shooting. Bryant said one person was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, but died a short time later.

Bryant said her team didn't know if any of the shootings were connected to each other, but she did opine about the prevalence of guns on Columbus streets.

We need to figure out how do we get control of this gun situation?" she asked. "Why is everybody walking around with a weapon?"

Witnesses told WSYX they heard at least 30 shots fired in the area. Dozens of evidence markers indicated the presence of more than 40 bullet casings.

WSYX saw what appeared to be restaurant workers arrive at work only to be turned away and told to go home. One of the workers said he was reporting for his first day.

I guess I won't be working here today," he said.

A witness told WSYX he learned when he was young that nothing good happens after midnight.

To this day, that rings true," Hayden Marshall said.

A man who lives in the area said he's heard gunshots each of the last two weekends, so he wasn't surprised to wake up to see police tape in his neighborhood once again.

It's not a shock," the man said, adding that he's still not scared to live where he lives. "You mind your own business and have your wits about you. It's not the people who live here. It's the people who come down here to drink."

That man also offered two suggestions for law enforcement to consider.

"I don't understand why we don't have cameras," he said. "Police are doing the best they can, but they need more help."

McKenzie Stickney, who manages W Nail Bar in the area, said she'll keep her business closed until further notice.

"We were scared," she told WSYX. "We definitely feel for the people who have been impacted by this. For now, we're closing. It's kind of to be determined depending on what the police say. We're hoping to open but also want to be very respectful of what happened."

Since officers fired their weapons during the High Street incident, BCI will be leading that investigation. Columbus police will investigate the other shootings.

Police are asking the public to avoid the area as they continue to investigate.

WSYX has not been given information about a suspect or motive.