ONTARIO, Ohio — A police officer was taken to the hospital after authorities say he was shot amid an hours-long standoff during a hostage situation in Richland County.
Ontario police say it was around 8:47 p.m. when officers responded to the scene in the 1000 block of Landings Court -- just west of Mansfield -- regarding a violation of a no contact order in which the caller “indicated that the subject was also armed.”
Upon their arrival, officers say they were confronted by 32-year-old Jareth Vance of Perrysville as he held his 43-year-old ex-girlfriend at gunpoint.
Joe Lyons of Ashland County Pictures provided this image from the scene:
“Officers tried to rescue the hostage and Vance fired at them, striking one of the officers,” according to a press release from Ontario police. “After the shooting occurred, [Vance's ex-girlfriend] escaped Vance’s control and he shot her as well.”
The officer, identified as a six-year veteran Officer Dylan Bailey, was taken to the hospital where authorities say he’s listed in stable condition after being shot in the legs and elbow. The condition of the hostage who was shot is unknown.
After the shots were fired, police say Vance barricaded himself inside a residence where he held a 16-year-old hostage. Ontario Police Chief Tom Hill says a total of about 10 people were inside, five of them juveniles.
"What our officers were confronted with was one of the hardest situations you could ever deal with, because you've got a male suspect that you're looking for and in the house and you have at least five juveniles," Hill told 3News. "It's the absolute worst-case scenario, because you don't know who's who."
The 16-year-old hostage called 911 and hid in the bathroom. She stayed on the phone with authorities throughout the ordeal.
“After a four-hour standoff, Vance surrendered to law enforcement with no further injuries,” according to police. “The 16-year-old hostage was then rescued unharmed.”
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including hostage negotiators, Mansfield police, Shelby police, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
"This is the one call you never want to get, and how it ended — although I never want to see our people get hurt — you count your blessings where you can count them," Hill said. "I look at our people every day like this is a possibility, and the families have to worry about that, and the fact that we have the quality people that we have is just amazing."
WKYC received the following statement from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation:
"BCI was requested by the Ontario Police Department this morning to investigate an officer-involved critical incident. The investigation is active and ongoing. No additional information is available at this time."
We also received the following statement from Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson:
"Needless to say I was shocked when I was notified of the incident last night. On behalf of all of the City Administration and City Council, our thoughts and prayers are going out to both the officer and the female victim and their families. I am happy to report that both are now in stable condition. The men and women in our police department work tirelessly and heroically every hour of every day. I am very proud of our first responders and their actions during this incident, they certainly saved lives. We will continue to support the injured and their families in every way possible. I also want to send a thank you to our Law Enforcement partners, Richland County Sheriff’s office, Mansfield Division of Police, Shelby Police Department, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. I want to thank the public for their support and prayers. The suspect, Jareth Vance of Perrysville is currently incarcerated at the Richland County Jail and is facing charges of Attempted Aggravated Murder."