Amazon shooter identified, 911 caller said 'he almost executed me'

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Amazon-contracted employee who died following two gun-related incidents Sunday was identified Monday as 22-year-old Ali Hamsa Yusuf.

MORE | Columbus police cruiser dash camera video shows Amazon shooter firing at officers

West Jefferson police said Yusuf was a contracted security guard at the Amazon fulfillment center on State Route 29 who had been training for approximately two weeks. Police said he fired at least one shot at that facility Sunday afternoon, then took off before officers arrived.

About 90 minutes later, officers caught up with Yusuf near the intersection of Georgesville and Clime roads, and a shootout ensued. One Columbus police officer was struck, as was Yusuf, who died at a hospital a short time later.

The officer who was shot was released from Grant Medical Center and is expected to be OK.

FOP spokesman Brian Steel confirmed that the officer had been released and credited the officer's bulletproof vest with saving his life.

"We're talking maybe half an inch to one side or to the other. We're in a different story right now," he said. "That officer is going home to his family and to us, the men and women of the Fraternal Order of Police."

The officer has not been identified.

An employee at the fulfillment center called 911, describing the tense moments.

"He was my trainee," the caller said. "He shot at me twice, but he missed. He almost executed me. He is leaving the parking lot as we speak in a car."

During that 911 call, the same caller can be heard using a radio device to communicate to the rest of the employees in the facility at the time.

"Get out of the building now. There’s an active shooting in the building," the caller said. "This is not a drill. There is an active shooting in the building."

Police arrived within two minutes of receiving reports of an active shooter, West Jefferson Police Chief Brandon Smith said.

Video from the facility showed Yusuf aiming the gun at his trainer's head three feet away and pulling the trigger. His gun jammed.

Chief Smith said he cleared the gun and fired, barely missing the victim's head. Yusuf chased him for about 15 yards, starting to exit the building.

About 90 minutes later, officers found Yusuf in the area of Georgesville and Clime roads.

Police said Yusuf fired at least one shot that struck a CPD officer, adding that officers fired back at him.

A Columbus police dispatcher confirmed to ABC 6 at about 6:50 p.m. Sunday that the suspect was in critical condition at Doctors West Hospital, and then about 10 minutes later confirmed that the man had died.

No injuries were reported at Amazon, but West Jefferson Police Chief Brandon Smith said Sunday evening that "there were bullet holes on front entry and the glass. (The shooter) didn't go any further than the front area of the building."

Multiple agencies responded to both of Sunday's scenes. The Ohio BCI is now leading the investigation.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Monday offered his first public reaction to the incidents.

"It’s a crime against our entire society when you shoot at police officers," Yost said. "They carry that badge. It’s a symbol of the authority that we give to them to keep our streets safe. There is no justification to shoot a police office."

They have the ability to run toward gun fire, not because they think it’s a good idea and not for hatred of what lies before them, but because of the love of what is behind. - Attorney General Dave Yost

A witness at the Georgesville-Clime scene brought up Sunday's holiday while lamenting the violence.

"There has to be a reason why. Why?" he asked. "This is not supposed to happen on a day for mothers."

Sunday's incident marked the second straight day in Columbus that a confrontation between officers and suspects ended in death. On Saturday night, police responded to a domestic situation in east Columbus; a suspect and a victim were both killed.