Prosecutor: No charges in fatal shootout with Elmwood Place officer
ELMWOOD PLACE, Ohio —
No charges will be filed following a fatal shootout with an Elmwood Place police officer, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced Wednesday.
"I got a couple things I want to say about this, besides the fact that it’s totally justified. This entire incident was justified by the officer," said Deters.
The shooting happened Oct. 20 on Highland Avenue, between Linden and Walnut streets.
Elmwood Police Officer Nicholas Arn, 25, shot and killed Rodney Arnez Barnes, 48, following an exchange of gunfire.
Deters said Wednesday that Arn – who was driving a marked police vehicle — stopped Barnes’ Dodge pickup truck during a traffic stop.
That traffic stop happened at the corner of Linden Street and Highland Ave.
“He ran a stop sign and was driving at a high rate of speed," said Deters.
Officials also said Arn ran the license plate, which showed the driver had an expired license.
Barnes, however, did not own the truck.
Deters said Arn exited his vehicle and approached Barnes’ truck. Barnes gave the officer fictitious information, Deters said.
As the officer was checking Barnes’ information, he motioned the officer back to his pickup truck. Barnes exited his truck and said “I am not going back,” Deters said, and opened fire on the officer.
Bullets from Barnes’ gun struck the officer’s police cruiser, Deters said. The officer was uninjured.
“I would be remiss if I did not applaud Officer Arn for his restraint, his act of bravery," said Deters.
Arn returned fire, firing 11 shots at Barnes. Barnes was struck four times. He was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
“Barnes had a long record and did not want to go back to prison. Knowing that the officer would arrest him, Barnes tried to kill the officer. Fortunately, Barnes’ shot missed and the officer was not injured. The officer took quick action to save his own life and, most likely, saved the lives of other innocent people,” Deters said.
At the time of the traffic stop, Barnes was wanted by the police for aggravated robbery and having weapons while under disability.
While awaiting sentencing for these charges in 2019, Barnes was admitted to the University of Cincinnati Psychiatric Emergency Services Unit. Barnes walked away from the unit and has been wanted by the police since July 2019. He previously had served time in prison.
No body-worn camera or cruiser camera video is available as the Elmwood Place Police Department does not have either of these items.
Deters said Arn is cleared to go back to work immediately.