Armed suspect shot

BELLEVUE — More details have emerged regarding a police shooting that occurred in Bellevue on Sunday. According to a joint press release from Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick W. Stevens and Bellevue Police Chief Marc A. Linder, the incident began when Bellevue police initiated a traffic stop around 4:09 p.m. in the 1000 block of Monroe Street. The driver fled in his vehicle, leading officers on a pursuit that traveled through Bellevue, Huron County and Sandusky County before ending in the 14000 block of County Road 32 in Seneca County. After stopping, the suspect exited his vehicle armed with a handgun and fired multiple rounds at officers, Stevens said. Police returned fire, striking the suspect, who then dropped the handgun and produced a knife while continuing to confront officers. Police deployed a stun gun and safely took the suspect into custody, immediately rendering first aid until emergency medical services arrived. The suspect, identified as Johnathon E. Howard, 54, of Bellevue, was flown from the scene by medical helicopter. He was reported to be in critical condition at the time of publication. No officers were injured, though one Bellevue police cruiser sustained damage from the suspect's gunfire. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to process the scene and is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting, which is standard procedure. The Seneca County Sheriff's Office and the Seneca County Prosecutor's Office are handling the criminal investigation because the incident concluded in Seneca County. Stevens thanked North Central EMS, the Bellevue Fire Department, ProMedica Air Ambulance and the Ohio State Highway Patrol for their assistance. The investigation remains active, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.