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NBC4I
November 24, 2013
A Columbus police SWAT officer was injured while attempting to apprehend a man suspected of shooting a 9-year-old boy and a woman Friday morning.
The string of shootings began when paramedics and Grove City police officers responded to a home in the 2700 block of Independence Way at about 7:35 a.m. on a report of a shooting.
Grove City police Capt. Jeff Pearson tells NBC4 a 9-year-old boy opened the door and was shot once at close range.
The boy, identified as Jaiden Dixon, was transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. However, Dixon’s mother posted to her Facebook page Friday afternoon that doctors are harvesting his organs for donation.
The suspect was identified as 47-year-old Danny Thornton, who is the ex-boyfriend of Dixon’s mother.
Police said Dixon’s mother, who was sitting in the living room when the shooting occurred, and Thornton have a 17-year-old son together.
Following the initial shooting, Grove City police issued an alert to all Franklin County law enforcement asking them to be on the lookout for Thornton and his vehicle at about 8:01 a.m.
Columbus police officers responded to a second shooting at Pitts Dentistry located at 4409 South Hamilton Road.
Investigators said Thornton entered the practice, which had just opened for the day, stated “Haven’t seen you in a while” and shot a dental hygienist once before turning and walking out of the office.
The victim, Vicki Vertin, is believed to be another ex-girlfriend of Thornton. Detectives said there was no altercation on yelling prior to the shooting.
Vertin was transported to Grant Medical Center where she underwent emergency surgery. She is listed in critical, but stable condition.
Vertin and Thornton had two children together, according to police. Those children were not involved in the previous shooting.
Officers learned of Thornton’s location after speaking with two people who said that Thornton had contacted them to say that he had shot two people, and was not going back to jail. The sources told police that Thornton was in his vehicle in the parking located between a Sam’s Club and Walmart in the area of Morse Road.
According to Columbus police, at least two Columbus and FBI SWAT officers in civilian clothing approached Thornton in the parking lot at about 9:45 a.m.
Columbus police public information officer Sgt. Rich Weiner tells NBC4 that Thornton exited his vehicle and raised his weapon to the officers. The officers fired at Thornton who was shot and pronounced dead at the scene.
An officer was also injured during the standoff. The officer, identified as 51-year-old Officer Steve Smith, is a 24-year veteran with Columbus police.
Smith was transported to Grant Medical Center to be treated for a gunshot wound to the hip, according to police. He was reportedly awake, alert, and talking on the scene and during transport. Police officials tell NBC4 the officer is doing OK.
Two other SWAT officers who were involved in the shooting were identified as Officer Lawrence Brown, a 26-year veteran, and Officer Glenn Thivener, a 25-year veteran.
Weiner said the officers reacted to the actions of the suspect.
According to court records, Thornton’s criminal history dating back to 1985 includes charges of felonious assault, domestic violence, aggravated menacing, disorderly conduct, assault, attempted possession of drugs, having a weapon under disability, and carrying a concealed weapon.
Highland Park Elementary School was placed on lockdown as a precaution. Independence Way is one block west of the school. The school was being taken off of lockdown as of 10:30 a.m.
Sandy Nekoloff of South-Western City Schools said Dixon is a 4th-grade student at Monterey Elementary School in Grove City.
South-Western City Schools officials sent a letter home to parents Friday. The letter read in part:
“At approximately 7:45 a.m. our building was placed in secured perimeter status by the Grove City Police Department, due to a reported shooting in the vicinity. As this was prior to school starting, we diverted our buses to the Grove City Recreation Center, asked parent drivers to either take their children home or we immediately brought the children into the building, and brought any walkers arriving early to school into the building. The police released us from our secured perimeter prior to the start of school.
“It is with great sadness that I tell you we have been notified that the child, who was injured, is a member of our Monterey family. Our hearts and sympathies go out to the family.
“Clearly, the next few days will be difficult for many of us. Please know that our Crisis Response Team is available to assist students and staff deal with this sadness. If students or staff would like to talk with a trained professional regarding this loss, assistance is available in a private and discreet setting. Students and staff may stop by the school?s office for more information.”
A number of schools in the Groveport-Madison School District were also placed on a brief lockdown following the second shooting. The lockdowns have since been lifted.
