A sheriff's deputy has fatally shot a 16-year-old boy in a US courtroom after a fight broke out involving the youth, his family and the officer.
Joseph Haynes was struck in the abdomen by a single bullet during the struggle, which began as an early afternoon hearing concluded in a domestic relations case in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, authorities say.
He died about 30 minutes later at a nearby hospital.
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Franklin County Sheriff's Office investigations chief Rick Minerd said events unfolded as a judge wrapped up the hearing involving a firearms charge against the boy and an electronic monitoring device the court assigned him earlier in the case.
"At some point as the hearing was concluding, there was an altercation that ensued involving the deputy and some of the family members," Minerd said. He added later that the boy also was involved.
The deputy was knocked to the ground and fired a shot, he said.
Minerd didn't identify the deputy, saying the investigation was ongoing.
The deputy also was injured and was being treated at a hospital but wasn't shot, Minerd added.
The sheriff's office immediately requested crime scene assistance from the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation and two employees of the agency were assigned.
Franklin County Commissioner John O'Grady told the Columbus Dispatch public safety was always an issue and commissioners would "certainly be willing" to discuss added juvenile court security with court personnel.
