UPDATE (12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22): The Scioto County Sheriff’s Office is releasing more details on the events that led to a man trying to drown a deputy and the ensuing manhunt.
According to the SCSO, the incident began at 5:48 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, when a property owner called 911 regarding alleged squatters on his property in the 100 block of Big Doney Road.
Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman stated that the first deputy to arrive on scene saw one man by a pond on the property, and then went into the house where he found a man and a woman in the bedroom. The deputy said the man inside the house allegedly “appeared to be under the influence,” and “took off running, wearing only his underwear.”
The sheriff’s office says the deputy followed the suspect, later identified as 28-year-old Richard Turner, who ran down the hill and jumped into the pond, allegedly telling the deputy, “You can’t tase me now. I’m in water.”
According to Thoroughman, when the deputy was able to get his hands on Turner, he allegedly pulled the deputy into the pond, leading to a struggle between the two. Turner then allegedly took the deputy’s radio so he could not call for help. During the altercation, Turner allegedly put the deputy into a headlock and dragged him below the water. Thoroughman says the deputy blacked out and almost drowned, while Turner allegedly ran from the scene.
The sheriff told WOWK 13 News Monday night that the deputy was rushed to hospital and was stabilized after the incident. He has since been released from the hospital.
The incident led to an hours-long manhunt that included multiple law enforcement agencies, including K-9s and a helicopter. According to Thoroughman, the two other individuals at the property were also detained and questioned.
The search for Turner ended around 1:03 a.m. when he was found returning to the property allegedly for his belongings.
The SCSO says Turner has been charged with attempted aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; attempted murder, a first-degree felony; felonious assault on a police officer, a second-degree felony; obstructing official business, a fifth-degree felony; and breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony. According to the sheriff’s office, Turner was also served a warrant on a complaint for failure to appear regarding a domestic violence charge, and a warrant out of Lawrence County, Ohio, for resisting arrest. He is being held on a $230,000 bond.
According to the sheriff’s office, the two other alleged squatters, identified as Tamera Clifton, 30, and Birdine Cole, 39, were also arrested and each charged with one count of breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony. They were being held on a $15,000 bond.
UPDATE (10:26 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22): The Scioto County Sheriff’s Office said Richard Turner has been arrested.
FRANKLIN FURNACE, OH (WOWK) – Investigators in Scioto County are searching for a man who attempted to drown a Scioto County Sheriff’s Deputy.
That is according to Sheriff David Thoroughman who tells 13 News that they are looking for Richard Turner in the Big Doney Road Area of Franklin Furnace.
The deputy was rushed to hospital and has been stabilized after the incident Monday evening, Thoroughman said. He has since been released from the hospital.
13 News is working to get more information about the suspect and the events leading up to the incident.
Keep checking the 13 News App and website for updates.
