Crime
7-year-old Oaklynn Alexander found safe, suspect Charles Alexander killed in officer-involved shooting in Medina
The 7-year-old girl was immediately taken into protective custody at the scene and reunited with her family.
A statewide Amber Alert ended in tragedy Monday night when a 43-year-old suspect was fatally shot in an “officer-involved shooting,” according to the Medina County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities confirmed that the 7-year-old girl, Oaklynn Alexander, who had been abducted earlier in the day was safely rescued and returned to her family.
The suspect, identified as Charles Ryan Alexander, the girl’s non-custodial father, reportedly took her from her home in Empire, Ohio, after an argument.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, Alexander initially fled with the child in a Ford F-150 before switching to a U-Haul truck.
Law enforcement eventually tracked the U-Haul to Brunswick, Ohio, where Brunswick police first located the vehicle around 8 p.m.
They attempted a traffic stop, but Alexander fled, leading authorities on a high-speed chase southbound on I-71 toward Medina County.
The chase concluded when Alexander pulled into a parking lot off SR-18 in Medina Township.
Officers and deputies surrounded the vehicle and attempted to negotiate with Alexander, who was reportedly armed and speaking with dispatch centers by phone.
Despite efforts to de-escalate the situation, the standoff ended in gunfire, resulting in Alexander’s death.
The 7-year-old girl was immediately taken into protective custody at the scene and reunited with her family.
The Medina County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation are now conducting a thorough investigation into the events surrounding the shooting and the Amber Alert.
MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Authorities have confirmed that a suspect is in custody following a shooting incident at the Meridian Mall on Friday afternoon.
As a result, the lockdown at the mall has been lifted.
The Meridian Township Police Department issued a public advisory just before 2:00 p.m., urging residents and shoppers to avoid the area near the Dick’s Sporting Goods entrance while officers conducted an active investigation at the scene.
At this time, police have not released specific details regarding the nature of the shooting, including whether anyone was injured or the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s arrest.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the incident and are expected to provide additional information as it becomes available.
The public is asked to remain clear of the immediate area to allow for the ongoing investigation.