Fugitive dead, SWAT officer injured in police standoff in Jackson Township

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WOIO) - A fugitive was fatally shot and an officer was struck in a police standoff at a Jackson Township hotel.

According to a release from U.S. Marshals, members attempted to arrest a fugitive wanted out of West Virginia for a federal weapons offense at a Jackson Township hotel.

Marshals tracked the fugitive down to a hotel located in the 6800 block of Sunset Strip Ave, NW.

During the incident, the fugitive pointed a firearm at U.S. Marshals members before barricading inside a hotel room, according to the release.

One member of the Canton Regional SWAT was struck by one of the rounds fired by the fugitive from inside the hotel room.

The officer had a non-life-threatening injury and was treated at a local hospital, according to the release.

A law enforcement vehicle was struck by the fugitive’s gunfire, according to the release.

Marshals said after multiple gunshots were fired by the fugitive, the fugitive was later fatally shot by law enforcement.

Marshals found two firearms and multiple bullet casings inside the hotel room.

Today, this fugitive with an extensive violent criminal history dating back to the 1970′s attempted to kill officers on scene during the arrest. Unfortunately, one officer was shot but all officers on scene responded with professionalism, commitment and dedication to safely resolve the situation.

A portion of I-77 in Stark County was shut down during the whole incident Monday afternoon, according to the Jackson Township Police Department.

Chief Mark Brink said in a release Monday that the U.S. Marshal’s Service began a law enforcement operation in the 6800 block of Sunset Strip N.W. in Jackson Township around 11 a.m.

A 19 News viewer caught some of the encounter on camera where shots were fired at a Jackson Township motel.

According to an employee at a Roadway Inn, located at 6880 Sunset Strip Ave., 19 News he believed police came to the motel to arrest one person.

A Cracker Barrel, located at 6940 Sunset Strip Ave., reported that it was on lockdown earlier, but has since reopened.