On April 4, 2025, an Ohio State Trooper approached a man—later identified as 30-year-old Deshawn Leeth—after he crashed his vehicle along the turnpike near the Ohio state line.
About 20 seconds into the encounter, Leeth fled on foot but soon returned toward the patrol car. The trooper deployed a Taser, which failed to subdue him, leading to a physical struggle. Dashcam footage shows punches being exchanged, and at one point, Leeth overpowered the trooper, knocking him to the ground and dislodging his body camera. Bystanders attempted to intervene and defuse the altercation.
Leeth then fled the scene in the trooper’s cruiser, prompting a multi-agency pursuit. The chase ended in North Sewickley, Pennsylvania, where Leeth crashed the stolen vehicle. Video from the scene shows Pennsylvania State Troopers attempting to restrain him as he resisted arrest. According to police, an altercation ensued during which investigators fatally shot Leeth. Authorities have not confirmed whether he was armed at the time.
Prison records show Leeth previously pleaded guilty to nine home invasion charges in two separate cases dating back to 2012. After his release in 2023, he became the executive director of a nonprofit organization focused on supporting at-risk youth and preventing teen violence.