'Risk of death by suicide': Ohio farmers can now access mental-health resources 24/7

Grand jury determines use of force justified in Reynolds case

Mount Gilead man shot twice during March 6 incident

Mark Caudill
Mansfield News Journal
Gavel and scales

A grand jury has determined law enforcement used justifiable force in shooting a Mount Gilead man twice during a March 6 incident.

Jeremy Reynolds, 32, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The officers involved were Richland County sheriff's Lt. James Nicholson and Ontario police Sgt. John Mager.

Reynolds pleaded guilty July 5 to kidnapping, three counts of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, three counts of grand theft of a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence and robbery.

Reynolds stole a car, a police cruiser and a minivan, leading police through two counties. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison on July 18.

Prosecutor Gary Bishop issued a press release Tuesday morning announcing the results of the grand jury.

Trooper tried to initiate a traffic stop

The crime spree began when an Ohio Highway Patrol state trooper tried to initiate a traffic stop on U.S. 30, near Reed Road. Reynolds refused to stop, leading to a pursuit that continued through Mansfield and Ontario, then back to Mansfield.

The pursuit turned again when Reynolds headed west on Millsboro Road before coming to a stop on the south side of the road in the 2400 block of Millsboro Road.

Reynolds remained in the vehicle as law enforcement tried to make contact with him and a female passenger. Officers from three law-enforcement agencies converged on the SUV.

As officers ordered Reynolds to exit the stolen vehicle, he tried to drive away but got stuck in the yard of another residence down the road.

About 10 minutes into an ensuing standoff, authorities heard a gunshot coming from within the SUV.

Reynolds held passenger as human shield

After 32 more minutes, Reynolds got out with the female passenger, holding her around the neck and using her as a human shield. He continued to keep his left arm around the woman's neck while holding what appeared to be a handgun in his right hand.

The vehicle they were in started smoking heavily before becoming fully engulfed in flames. Law enforcement tried to keep Reynolds away from any homes, then realized he was heading toward two unoccupied police cruisers that were parked in the road to block traffic.

A hostage negotiator tried but failed to get Reynolds to release his hostage and surrender.

As Reynolds approached the cruisers, an officer shot him in the leg. Reynolds stumbled but kept hold of the hostage.

He made his way inside a police cruiser with the woman and tried to flee before he was struck by another gunshot.

Reynolds fled in the police cruiser and headed toward Ashland County. Along the way, he abandoned the cruiser and forcibly stole another vehicle.

Eventually, Reynolds was captured in Ashland County. He was taken for medical treatment and released into the custody of law enforcement.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill