Ohio deputy's shooting started with domestic violence call

LANDEN, Ohio — A shooting involving a police officer in Ohio on Thursday night began with a domestic violence call.

A brother and father complained about threats their brother and son were making against them.

Deputy Katie Barnes responded to the Orchard of Landen Apartments in Landen, Ohio, said Warren County Sheriff Larry Sims.

She spent 40 minutes talking to the pair about the threats Mohammed Abdou Laghaoui, 19, made about killing them. She wanted to know whether they wanted to file charges. They didn't, so Barnes left, Sims said.

About an hour later, the Warren County (Ohio) Sheriff's Office received a second domestic violence call. Laghaoui had punched his father in the face and he continued to issue threats.

Barnes returned to the complex, parking "strategically so that she could approach this apartment complex without being seen right away," Sims said.

As Barnes approached the second floor, where the apartment is located, Laghaoui immediately opened fire on her with an AK-47 assault rifle.

At lease six spent rounds were found near Barnes, with five rounds found elsewhere. She fired four times, Sims said.

Barnes called for help and returned fire.

Barnes was struck by one of the rounds, then another deputy arrived and was able to get her out of there, Sims said.

Two neighbors, who thought the shots were firecrackers, went outside and came face-to-face with Laghaoui.

One of them was shot at twice but is unharmed, Sims said.

A search ensued for Laghaoui. He was taken into custody without incident about 4:30 a.m. when he returned to his apartment, Sims said.

Barnes was taken to the hospital and released. She was shot in the lower abdomen and is expected to recover.

"We feel pretty confident that she is going to recover from that and be able to come back and do what she does," Sims said.

This was the first time Barnes has used her weapon.

Before Laghaoui was taken into custody, police said he was "considered armed and dangerous" and they shut down the area.

The extent of the father's injuries is unknown, though Sims said he may need surgery on his hand.

The shelter-in-place order was lifted once Laghaoui was in custody.

During the shelter-in-place, officials weren't allowing anyone through, including residents.

Authorities also employed a law enforcement helicopter to assist in the investigation.

Brian Freedman, a 28-year-old resident of the Orchard of Landen apartment complex, arrived home around 10 p.m. to find the area cordoned off.

"I don’t know if I've ever seen so many police officers in one place," said Freedman.

An officer let him through to his apartment. He immediately called his mom. He heard a helicopter and a few sirens when he first got home, but nothing other than the constant pinging of his phone since.

"It's been very quiet," he said.

Emily Johnson, 17, of Maineville, Ohio, was stranded in the parking lot of a Meijer grocery store for about seven hours as a result of the shelter-in-place order and police road blocks.

Johnson said she was relieved to be returning home, but remained concerned about the events of the overnight hours.

"It's crazy. This kind of thing doesn't happen around here. You never think it's going to happen to you," said Johnson. "I'm just glad we get to go home."

Contributing: Keith BieryGolick, Cameron Knight, Sam Greene, Patrick Brennan and Brett Milam, The Cincinnati Enquirer.Follow Amir Samarghandi and Ben Goldschmidt, @amiricanews and @b_gschmidt