Cincinnati Police chief Jeffery Blackwell believes a fatal officer-involved shooting in Northside was within departmental policy on use of force.
Blackwell says Officer Justin Moore, who was part of the most recent lateral transfer recruit classes, and training Officer Doris Scott were searching for Quandavier Hicks, a suspect in a menacing complaint. He says the two officers went to 1751 Chase Avenue and were knocking on doors around 11:20 p.m. Tuesday.
“The officers were on the second floor of the building knocking on a door, when Mr. Hicks opened a door adjacent to where the officers stood," Blackwell says. "As the door opened outward toward the officers in the common hallway, they immediately saw a rifle in the suspect’s hands.”
Blackwell says Hicks pointed the rifle at the officers and says there was a struggle as Officer Moore grabbed the rifle barrel and Officer Doris Scott fired. Hicks died at the scene.
“We do believe at this point the shooting appears to be one that will be ruled in policy,” Blackwell says.
There will be three separate investigations - from the police department, from the Citizens Complaint Authority, and from the firearm discharge board. Both officers have been placed on administrative leave during the investigations.
The rifle was a .22 caliber; and Blackwell says it had ten rounds in a magazine, but there was not a bullet in the chamber.
Blackwell says 22 year old Quandavier Hicks had a felony conviction for drug possession, which means he was not supposed to be in possession of a firearm.