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Black killed in standoff after shooting mixed-race son of one of his white ex-girfriends then shooting another white ex-girlfriend
  GROVE CITY, Ohio - A Columbus police SWAT officer was injured while attempting to apprehend a man suspected of shooting a 9-year-old boy and a woman. The string of shootings began when paramedics and police officers responded to a home on a report of a shooting. 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 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. Dixon's mother, who was sitting in the living room when the shooting occurred, and Thornton have a 17-year-old son together. Columbus police officers responded to a second shooting at Pitts Dentistry. Thornton entered the practice, and said "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. She is listed in critical, but stable condition. Vertin and Thornton had two children together. Later, 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, 51-year-old Officer Steve Smith, was also injured during the standoff. Thornton's criminal history dating back to 1985. - (Black-on-white) |