Whitehall Police Officers Shoot SUV Passenger Santiago Munoz Who Reached For Gun.
* (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) *
The Whitehall Division of Police identified a suspect who was fatally shot by at least one officer.
According to a release, two officers heard gunfire coming from the area of East Main Street and South Hamilton Road near the Roses Store parking lot around 2 a.m. At the same time, the Flock Gunshot Detection System alerted officers to gunshots in the same area.
Officers arrived at the parking lot and saw two vehicles – a parked silver Honda Pilot and a dark-colored SUV which was leaving the area. Police said the two officers approached the Honda to investigate the shots fired and check on the occupants.
Officers found two Hispanic men in the front seats of the Honda. Police said there was a language barrier between the officers and the occupants. While trying to speak to the men, the officers saw a handgun in the SUV. Police said the officers told the men, in English and Spanish, to put their hands up.
The driver of the SUV, 35-year-old William Morales Villatoro, complied, but police said the passenger, 36-year-old Santiago Elias Alfaro Munoz, did not comply. Police said the Munoz went for the handgun and back toward the officer.
At that point, both officers fired shots at Munoz, striking him at least once. It’s unclear if both officers struck Munoz.
Officers attempted life-saving measures on Munoz and turned him over to medics who took him to Mount Carmel East Hospital where he later died. It’s unclear how many times he was shot.
Police said several guns were found inside the Honda. Villatoro was arrested on one felony count of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.
“This was a dangerous but tragic situation,” said Chief Mike Crispen. “Our officers are trained to respond to threats of violence, especially when guns are involved. Our prayers are with the families of both the deceased and our officers.”
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation.
Police Activity Summary:
Whitehall, Ohio — On April 19, 2024, at approximately 2:00 a.m., two Whitehall officers heard gunfire coming from the area of East Main Street & South Hamilton Road, near the Roses Store parking lot. About the same time, the Flock Gunshot Detection System alerted officers to gunshots in this exact same area. Officers responded to the Roses parking lot and found a silver Honda Pilot on the lot and observed another dark SUV leaving the area.
Two officers approached the Honda to both investigate the gunshots and check the welfare of the occupants. Officers found two Hispanic males in the front seats of the Honda. There was a language barrier between the officers and occupants. However as officers spoke with them, they observed a handgun in the vehicle. Officer immediately ordered the occupants, in both Spanish and English, to put their hands up. This command was given multiple times. The driver complied and was removed from the car, but the passenger would not comply with officer’s orders.
Instead, the passenger suddenly lunged toward the handgun and then back toward the officer. At that time officers returned fire and shot the passenger.
Several guns were found in the vehicle. Officers attempted lifesaving measures and turned the passenger over to medics who transported him to Mt. Carmel East Hospital, where he later passed away.
The passenger has been identified as 36-year-old Santiago Elias Alfaro Munoz.
The driver was arrested for one felony count of Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle and turned over the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. He has been identified as 35-year-old William Morales Villatoro.