COLUMBUS, Ohio — More than three-and-a-half minutes passed before officers rendered aid to Donovan Lewis after he was shot by Ofc. Ricky Anderson and handcuffed, according to body camera footage released by the Columbus Police Department.
Family members are questioning if the time allotted goes against Andre’s Law.
Andre’s Law was passed in Feb. 2021 following the shooting of Andre Hill by Columbus Police Officer Adam Coy in Dec. 2020. The law amended Columbus City Code to requiiring the activation of body-worn cameras during any enforcement action or other situation outlined in directives of the Columbus Division of Police, officers are required to request aid from emergency services upon use of force resulting in serious bodily harm and render medical aid under certain circumstances.
Columbus Police recruits are also required to receive CPR training, basic medical training and periodic retraining.
“We’re investigating all angles that we might be able to pursue in litigation, including Andre’s Law and any other city ordinances and state statutes, federal statutes that we can utilize,” said Bart Keyes, a member of the family’s legal team. “We’re in the process of preparing our lawsuit and we’re also preparing our own investigation, while waiting on the results of BCI’s investigation as well.”
According to the law, the Columbus Division of Police is supposed to provide training and protocol around rendering medical aid. Mark Collins, who represents Ofc. Anderson, said that lack of training could have played a role in the gap.
“It’s a great concept,” said Collins. “The issue is when you get to it, then you need more money for training, you need more resources to educate officers, which officers are there to do that, which are not?”
After reaching out to the Columbus Police Department, Spectrum News is still unclear if Anderson underwent the CPR and basic medical aid training that the division is required to provide.
Any officer that violates this law is subject to disciplinary action by CPD or the Department of Public Safety, but no criminal charges are outlined in the ordinance. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is still investigating.
According to Anderson’s legal team, BCI has not asked him for an interview or written statement, and he is currently complying with division directives and meeting with counselors and psychologists.
Lewis’ family legal team said that they are conducting their own investigation alongside BCI and are taking a deep dive into all city ordinances, including Andre’s Law.
