'Gun battle' with police leaves suspect dead in east Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – One man is dead after what a police union representative called a "gun battle" between the deceased suspect and Columbus police Saturday night.

According to Columbus police dispatchers, the shooting happened just after 7 p.m. on the 4700 block of McAllister Avenue.

Brian Toth, the executive vice president for the Fraternal Order of Police, said the situation appears to have started when officers responded to a domestic violence call.

"Domestic violence is the worst kind of call a police officer is going to go on," he said.

When officers arrived, they were met with gunfire from a "heavily armed suspect," Toth said, adding that bystanders were in the area when the shooting started.

At least one officer returned fire, Toth said, with the suspect being shot and killed. No officers were injured in the incident, he added.

"The suspect, he dictated their response," he said. "When the officers pulled up, they had no idea they were going to run into a gun battle and they did. And thankfully they’re alive and those innocent bystanders, thankfully they’re alive by the grace of God as well."

Officials have not released the identity of the suspect or the officers involved in the call.

The Ohio Bureau of Investigation with the attorney general's office has been called to the scene to investigate, according to a spokesperson.

Toth's full statement can be watched in the video player below.

Earlier reports stated two people were killed; Toth only confirmed that the suspect was dead and that he was unaware of any other injuries.

Investigators are expected to remain at the scene for several hours, Toth said.