COLUMBUS, Ohio — EDITOR’S NOTE: Columbus police retracted an earlier statement that the man involved in Tuesday's shooting with officers died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police said the initial statement was sent "in haste and in error." The story has been updated with new information that circumstances surrounding the man's death are under investigation.
A 21-year-old man died after he exchanged gunfire with police officers on the city’s southeast side Thursday morning, according to the Columbus Division of Police.
Officers were called to George’s Creek apartments on Georges Creek Drive near Canal Winchester just after 4 a.m. Dispatchers received a call about a man threatening to take his life and others who were in the apartment with him.
Officers arrived and found the man, identified as Rafel Warfield, at the back of one of the apartments with a handgun. Police said he fired his weapon at the officers and one officer returned fire.
Warfield was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:32 a.m.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said there were a total of four officers involved, though only one fired his weapon. All four officers are on administrative leave until their examinations are complete.
Columbus police initially said Warfield suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In a later update, officials retracted their statement and said that the circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation.
No officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation.