Two suspects, identified as Elaine and Rodney Helman, were fatally shot by Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers during a hostage standoff in Madison County. The suspects had stolen a semitruck and led authorities on a pursuit through multiple counties. The pursuit ended with a standoff near Dayton, where the suspects fired at troopers who returned fire, resulting in the suspects’ deaths. The truck driver who was taken hostage suffered minor injuries. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will lead an investigation into the incident. 10TV Web Staff reported
The suspects who were killed by Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers during a lengthy hostage situation in Madison County have been identified by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. The suspects, Elaine Helman, 51, and Rodney Helman, 54, stole a semitruck and led law enforcement on a pursuit across multiple counties with a hostage. The incident started when a police officer stopped a van in London and Rodney and Elaine provided false information before fleeing. The pursuit eventually ended at a truck stop, where the suspects abandoned the van and were briefly chased on foot. They then entered an unlocked semi without a trailer and drove away, colliding with a police cruiser but causing no injuries. The Ohio State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies pursued the truck cab through several counties before the chase concluded in Vandalia. Following negotiations that lasted approximately four hours, authorities decided to approach the vehicle in an attempt to free the hostage. At this point, one of the suspects fired shots at the troopers, who returned fire and struck both suspects. Elaine succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital, while Rodney was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries and later pronounced dead. The hostage, the truck driver, sustained minor injuries and received treatment at a hospital. The shooting will be investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation..
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