COLUMBUS, Ohio — Shots were fired at officers Saturday night while they were attempting to break up a group of street racers in north Columbus.
"You didn't know what was going to happen. It was terrifying,” Joy Myers, a nearby neighbor, said.
Officers with the Columbus Division of Police were called to the 4100 block of Indianola Avenue around 11 p.m. following reports of approximately 100 vehicles involved in a street race.
At the scene, officers observed not only drag racers but also several individuals congregated in the middle of Indianola Avenue watching the event. Police said some of those individuals were stopping other vehicles and vandalizing them.
Police initially said the incident was street racing, but later clarified that the people involved were participating in a street takeover, which involves blocking off areas of the road to perform stunts.
"This isn't that kind of a neighborhood,” Myers said.
"I've never heard gunshots or seen gunshots on this road before,” Zed Clark, another north Columbus resident who lives nearby, said.
According to Columbus police, as officers stepped out of their cruisers in an attempt to settle down the group, they heard several gunshots ring out.
Police said that several of those gunshots were in the direction of the officers. All of the drag racers and spectators fled the scene after the shots rang out.
"When we pulled off the highway today to come home there was probably about 20 flares right here at the intersection,” Clark said.
Columbus police said no officers or other bystanders were struck by gunfire. Officers told 10TV that they never fired shots back at the group.
"I don't feel like this is something that's happening here regularly, but I am a bit concerned it may be happening places throughout the city,” Clark said.
Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to contact Columbus police.