A deadly deputy involved shooting in Ashtabula Tuesday started out as a robbery investigation.
Ashtabula County's Sheriff, William Johnson, told NewsChannel 5 the suspect who was killed robbed a juvenile late Monday and put a gun to their head.
A deputy checked out a home, after hearing a robbery suspect's car was parked nearby. The Sheriff said he quickly called backup.
"The subject did not respond to commands, to put his hands up and get out of the car," Sheriff Johnson said.
The suspect drove away. Deputies went after him in their vehicles and on foot. Gunfire rang out.
Eventually the suspect crashed, slamming into a utility pole. He was dead.
The woman in the car with him, not injured, and taken to the sheriff's department for questioning.
It's not clear whether the suspect fired at deputies or if he was killed in the gunfire or in the crash.
Sheriff Johnson said deputies only fire their weapons when they have to. In this case, they knew the suspect was dangerous.
"We knew he had a weapon. When they observed it, and he was listening to commands. You can't take anything for granted these days. You just can't," he said.
