On Saturday, Feb. 10 around noon, two police officers were shot and killed in an area outside of Columbus in a city known as Westerville, Ohio, according to a CNN report. The authorities were informed of a hang-up call that came into the city’s 911 center and with arrival upon the caller’s address, the responding officers were fired at.
“One officer was killed in the shooting and another died shortly after, according to Columbus Police,” Dayton Daily News stated in an article.
With constantly updated reports about the situation, it was later revealed the officers’ names were Anthony Morelli, 54, and Eric Joering, 39, whom were identified by Westerville’s Police Chief Joe Morbitzer, according to 10TV news.
At the OSU Wexner Medical Center, the male suspect who had been taken into custody, was transported to this location in Columbus.
Earlier in the day, Westerville wrote a tweet that stated “We are deeply saddened to report that one of our officers has been killed in the line of duty. Please continue to follow back for more information.” A second tweet had followed some time later to confirm the death of the second officer.
A procession is in progress for the fallen officers. In a statement by Ohio Senator Kevin Bacon, “Our hearts and prayers are with the Westerville officers, their friends, families and the Westerville Police Department at this difficult time,” he said in a CBS news article. “Now is one of those times and we — as a community — must rally behind the families and fellow officers.”
A GoFundMe page was set up for the police officer’s families.
