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Cincinnati police shot and killed 23-year-old Timothy Cromwell after an alleged abduction and 45-minute pursuit Saturday. The chase ended in Green Township, where police said Cromwell approached officers while carrying a knife. Three officers fired their weapons during the confrontation.
Cincinnati police fatally shot an abduction suspect after a 45-minute pursuit ended in Green Township Saturday afternoon.
The abduction suspect, identified as 23-year-old Timothy Cromwell, allegedly approached officers with a knife before police opened fire.
Abduction suspect led police on 45-minute chase
Police began searching for Cromwell after receiving an abduction report around 4 p.m. Saturday, according to Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie. Police said the victim worked at Mercy Health-West Hospital, where Cromwell allegedly forced her from the driver’s seat of her vehicle.
READ: Cincinnati Police Chased an Alleged Kidnapper Into Green Township
The victim’s family contacted police after learning about the alleged abduction. They also provided officers with a description of the vehicle, helping police locate it near Boudinot Avenue and Ramona Avenue. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but Cromwell allegedly fled.
Police then pursued the vehicle through several West Side neighborhoods. According to WCPO, the pursuit lasted about 45 minutes before ending near Werk Road and Our Lady of the Visitation School in Green Township.
The chase ended after Cromwell crashed the vehicle near the school. Cincinnati police used a SWAT vehicle to stop him from continuing to flee, according to FOX19. Officers and Cromwell then exited their vehicles.
The victim survived the incident, while Cromwell remained at the scene as officers confronted him. The case quickly shifted from an alleged abduction and vehicle pursuit to a deadly police encounter.
Abduction suspect confronted officers with a knife
Police said Cromwell approached officers while carrying a knife after exiting the vehicle. Officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon, but he allegedly refused to comply.
Chief Hennie said Cromwell made aggressive movements toward officers. Two Cincinnati police officers and one Green Township officer then fired their weapons, according to WCPO.
The confrontation reportedly continued even after officers first struck Cromwell. WCPO reported that Cromwell fell after being shot, then stood and again moved toward officers with the knife.
Officers fired again after Cromwell allegedly continued approaching them. Police said he again fell before getting back up and moving toward officers.
A third round of gunfire ended the confrontation. Officers then secured the scene and transported Cromwell to an area hospital, where authorities pronounced him dead.
No officers suffered injuries in the shooting, according to Cincinnati police.
FOX19 reported that police released video showing Cromwell getting out of the vehicle and lunging toward officers with a knife. The video is expected to provide additional context as investigators review the circumstances surrounding the shooting. (WCPO 9 Cincinnati)
Police identify Timothy Cromwell
Cincinnati police identified the deceased man Sunday as Timothy Cromwell, 23. Authorities said Cromwell had a prior criminal history that included several arrests.
According to FOX19, Cromwell had previous arrests involving allegations of abduction, aggravated menacing, menacing by stalking, unlawful restraint and violating a protection order. Hennie also said Cromwell was on parole at the time of Saturday’s incident. (https://www.fox19.com)
Police also said Cromwell had two active misdemeanor warrants. The warrants involved unlawful restraint and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, according to FOX19.
The history adds context to the police response but does not determine the outcome of the current investigation. Authorities have not indicated that previous arrests affected the officers’ decision to use deadly force during Saturday’s confrontation.
The case remains under investigation, and additional details could emerge as investigators review evidence from the pursuit and shooting.
Abduction suspect reportedly mentioned suicide by cop
One of the most significant details came from the alleged victim’s account of what Cromwell said during the incident.
According to Chief Hennie, the victim told investigators that Cromwell said he did not intend to go to jail. She also reported that he wanted officers to shoot him.
FOX19 reported that Hennie characterized Cromwell’s comments as an apparent attempt to commit “suicide by cop.” (https://www.fox19.com)
WCPO also reported that police said Cromwell mentioned suicide by cop to the victim. The outlet reported that police had information about multiple mental health issues involving Cromwell. (WCPO 9 Cincinnati)
FOX19 further reported that Cromwell’s family told police he had previously made comments about attempting suicide by officer. Authorities have not released additional details about those reported comments.
These statements remain part of the investigation and come from accounts provided to police. They do not independently establish Cromwell’s intent during the final confrontation.
Three officers fired during Green Township shooting
The deadly shooting involved officers from two law enforcement agencies. Two Cincinnati police officers fired their weapons, while a Green Township police officer also fired, according to Chief Hennie’s account.
The officers encountered Cromwell after the pursuit ended near Our Lady of the Visitation School. Police said they repeatedly ordered him to drop the knife before he allegedly advanced toward them.
The sequence of gunfire remains an important part of the investigation. WCPO reported that officers fired during three separate stages of the confrontation after Cromwell allegedly continued approaching them with the knife. (WCPO 9 Cincinnati)
The Cincinnati Police Department has not reported injuries among the officers involved. Cromwell died after being transported to an area hospital.
Authorities are expected to continue reviewing body-camera footage, witness information and other evidence. The investigation will also help establish the precise sequence of events before and during the shooting.
What happens next in the investigation
The police shooting follows a fast-moving series of events that began with an alleged abduction at Mercy Health-West Hospital. Investigators must now examine both the original alleged crime and the circumstances surrounding the officers’ use of deadly force.
Police will continue reviewing evidence from the vehicle pursuit and the confrontation in Green Township. Investigators may also examine communications between officers, dispatch records and available video.
The victim’s account could remain an important part of the investigation because she was reportedly with Cromwell during the initial abduction. Her statements also provided police with information about his alleged intentions.
The incident drew a major police response across Cincinnati’s West Side and Green Township. It also brought multiple agencies into the response as officers attempted to stop the pursuit and protect the public.
The investigation remains active. Cincinnati police and local officials may release additional information as investigators review the deadly confrontation.
FAQs
What happened to the Cincinnati abduction suspect?
Cincinnati police fatally shot 23-year-old Timothy Cromwell after an alleged abduction and 45-minute vehicle pursuit Saturday. Police said Cromwell approached officers with a knife after crashing the victim’s vehicle in Green Township.
Where did the police chase end?
The pursuit ended near Werk Road and Our Lady of the Visitation School in Green Township. Cromwell crashed the vehicle before officers confronted him outside the vehicle.
How many officers shot the suspect?
Three officers fired their weapons during the confrontation, according to Cincinnati police. Two were Cincinnati police officers, while the third worked for Green Township police.
Did the suspect say he wanted police to shoot him?
According to Chief Adam Hennie, the victim told investigators that Cromwell said he did not intend to go to jail and wanted police to shoot him. FOX19 reported that police described the alleged comments as an apparent attempt at “suicide by cop.”
