According to a joint statement from Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick W. Stevens and Bellevue Police Chief Marc Linder, the incident began around 4:09 p.m. Sunday when Bellevue officers attempted a traffic stop in the 1000 block of Monroe Street in Bellevue. The driver fled, sparking a pursuit that wound through the city of Bellevue, continued into Huron County and Sandusky County, and ultimately ended on County Road 32 in Seneca County, the agencies said.
When the vehicle finally stopped in the 14000 block of County Road 32, the suspect got out armed with a handgun and “fired multiple rounds” at officers, according to the sheriff’s office. Officers returned fire, striking the man, who was then flown from the scene by medical helicopter and was listed in critical condition as of Monday.
Authorities have not reported any injuries to pursuing officers, though one Bellevue police cruiser was hit by the suspect’s gunfire, officials said. The name of the wounded man has not been released publicly, and investigators have not disclosed how many rounds were fired or how many times the suspect was struck.
The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into the shooting remains active, and additional details, including any potential charges, will be released at a later time. Standard procedures in officer-involved shootings typically include independent review and internal administrative steps, though local officials have not yet outlined the specific process for this case.