Fatal Encounters

A step toward creating an impartial, comprehensive and searchable national database of people killed during interactions with police

Obbie Lee Shepard Jr.

Name: Obbie Lee Shepard Jr.
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Race: African-American/Black
Date: 08/26/2011
Location: 800 block S 22nd St
Columbus, Ohio, 43206
County: Franklin
Agency: Columbus Division of Police
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Intended Use of Force: Deadly force
Media summary: The officers chased Shepard, 21, on foot after responding to a report of a stolen bicycle. Valiski told police investigators that he shot Shepard after Shepard reached into his waistband during the chase. Valiski told investigators. "I believed that the suspect was armed and that he was going to fire his gun at me." Worthington, who did not shoot, said Shepard turned and fired two shots as he ran. Police found a .25-caliber handgun in a backyard about 100 yards north of the spot where Shepard fell, along the path he had run with Worthington in pursuit.
Unique ID: 10507

News article: Link






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