Warren County, Ohio – In a distressing turn of events in Warren County, a Clearcreek Township police officer is currently fighting for his life in critical condition after being shot in the head during a confrontation on Tuesday night.
The officer, identified as Eric Ney, a 14-year veteran of the Clearcreek Township Police Force, sustained the injury while responding to a domestic violence call. The suspected assailant was fatally shot by another officer in the ensuing exchange of gunfire, authorities have confirmed.
The incident unfolded when officers were dispatched to the 5900 block of state Route 48, south of Lower Springboro Road, following reports of a domestic disturbance involving an individual allegedly using an ATV to ram his wife’s car. Clearcreek Township Police Chief John Terrill, who provided details of the harrowing encounter, expressed uncertainty about Officer Ney’s prognosis, stating, “His shot was to the head, we’re not sure quite how it’s going to turn out yet.”
Officer Ney was urgently airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital by CareFlight, where he remains in the Intensive Care Unit in stable but critical condition. The quick response and actions taken by the officers at the scene were crucial, yet the event has left the department and community reeling.
The deceased suspect was identified by the Warren County Coroner’s Office as 65-year-old Mark Evers. His body has been sent to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy to further investigate the circumstances leading to the fatal shooting.
This tragic incident has triggered an investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, marking a somber first for the Clearcreek Township Police Department, which has never before experienced an officer-involved shooting. Reflecting on the gravity of the situation, Chief Terrill recounted the department’s past tragedies, including the loss of officers to accidents involving drunk drivers, highlighting the profound impact such incidents have on the law enforcement community.
The Clearcreek Township Police Department has scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon, where Chief Terrill and Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell are expected to provide further updates. This incident underscores the dangers law enforcement officers face daily and has shaken the small community of Warren County. The department and residents now await more information, hoping for Officer Ney’s recovery, as they grapple with the ramifications of this tragic event.