HAMILTON COUNTY, OH – A man fatally shot by police following a multi-county pursuit on Interstate 75 has been identified as 48-year-old Samuel Mumyarutete, according to the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office. The deadly incident unfolded early Wednesday morning after law enforcement officers attempted to stop a stolen vehicle.
The situation began around 2:45 a.m. when a license plate reader in West Chester detected a vehicle reported stolen. Police attempted to pull over the driver, but he refused to stop, leading to a high-speed chase across multiple counties. As the pursuit continued, several individuals exited the moving vehicle and fled on foot, prompting officers to search for them in the area.
Lockland police joined the search efforts, quickly apprehending one suspect. Meanwhile, officers located Mumyarutete walking along I-75 near mile marker 14. Authorities stated that he was holding an unknown object and refused repeated commands to stop. In an effort to subdue him, an officer deployed a taser, but it was reportedly ineffective.
When Mumyarutete continued to resist, the officer fired his weapon, striking him in the chest. Officers provided emergency medical aid at the scene, but he was pronounced dead shortly after. Law enforcement has not confirmed whether Mumyarutete was armed at the time of the shooting.
None of the officers involved in the incident were wearing body cameras, as the Lockland Police Department is still in the process of equipping its force with them. However, West Chester police released dashcam footage showing the pursuit, with speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Authorities have not disclosed additional details about the other suspect taken into custody.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations is leading the inquiry into the shooting. Investigators are reviewing all available evidence to determine whether the officer’s use of force was justified. More details are expected as the investigation progresses.
