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3 suspects identified after pursuit involving death of Bluffton officer Dominic Francis

The suspects, who range in age from 19-21, have been identified as Emin Johnson, Zachary Love and Dante Tate.

BLUFFTON, Ohio — One day after Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis was struck and killed during a pursuit in Northwest Ohio, the State Highway Patrol has released the names of the three suspects who were arrested in the case.

They have been identified as follows:

  • Emin Johnson, 20, incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center
  • Zachary Love, 21, incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center
  • Dante Tate, 19, incarcerated at the Medina County Jail

RELATED: 'Bigger than life': Bluffton community mourns fallen police officer Dominic Francis

The situation started around 2 a.m. Thursday when troopers from the Marion post witnessed a dark-colored sedan traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 23 northbound. That vehicle was then seen approximately 20 minutes later on Route 15 in Hancock County before traveling to I-75 South.

Moments later, officer Francis, 42, was fatally struck by the vehicle while attempting to deploy stop sticks. Authorities say the three suspects fled on foot.

RELATED: 'We are grateful to him': Gov. Mike DeWine, state agencies offer condolences after death of Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis

Around 3 a.m., a Toyota Prius was stolen from a residence on County Road 29 in Hancock County. One of the suspects was taken into custody in this general area. The Prius was then located by a trooper on I-71 near milepost 28 in Medina County.

The pursuit concluded at 8:15 a.m. on Route 57 at Chestnut Ridge Road in Elyria where a second suspect was arrested.

The third suspect was taken into custody hours later following a manhunt in Hancock County at 12:49 p.m.

RELATED: Bluffton police officer struck and killed by vehicle on I-75, with chase ending in Elyria; 3 people arrested

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