Pubdate: Fri, 13 Dec 2013
Source: Chillicothe Gazette (OH)
Copyright: 2013 Chillicothe Gazette
Contact: http://www.chillicothegazette.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.chillicothegazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2749

WOMAN DIES AFTER ERRANT SHOT DURING RAID

CHILLICOTHE - A 35-year-old Ross County woman is dead after she was 
shot in the head during a raid Wednesday on U.S. 23, and it appears 
the shot was fired from the weapon of a law enforcement officer, Ross 
County Prosecutor Matt Schmidt said Thursday.

The dead woman is 35-year-old Krystal Barrows, who was inside the 
home at 467 U.S. 23 South in Ross County when the U.S. 23 Task Force 
entered at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. Schmidt confirmed the death to 
the Gazette late Thursday.

Schmidt said the round was not intentionally fired, and it's unclear 
whether the gunfire was the result of a weapon malfunction or user 
error. He stressed that he was not at the scene and is not a 
spokesman for the Ross County Sheriff's Office, but he does serve as 
its legal counsel.

Schmidt said it doesn't appear any shots were fired at law 
enforcement officers from inside the home.

Barrows was shot in the head, according to Schmidt. She was taken 
from the scene by a medical helicopter, according to sheriff's office 
spokesman Lt. Mike Preston.

Six people were charged during the raid; two others were detained and 
questioned before being released. A total of 11 people, including a 
juvenile female, were inside the mobile home when the U.S. 23 Task 
Force arrived to serve the warrant.

According to a sheriff's office news release, task force officers 
found "large amounts of heroin," multiple guns, including pistols and 
assault rifles, a large sum of cash, drug abuse instruments and 
numerous items that task force officials say were likely stolen 
goods. No details on the seized items were given in the release.

Preston declined comment on the incident beyond what was mentioned in 
the news release. Sheriff George Lavender also was unavailable for comment.

The release said the raid was the culmination of a "lengthy and 
ongoing investigation by the sheriff's office and the task force."

Pursuant to policy, Lavender called the Bureau of Criminal 
Investigation to investigate the raid and what prompted the gunfire, 
Schmidt said.

"We're relying heavily on BCI," Schmidt said.

Multiple task force members were armed at the time of the raid, and 
all of their weapons have been seized so they can be analyzed to help 
determine who fired the shot, he said.

Six people were arrested during the raid:

Rodney Tackett, 32, warrant from Pickaway County. A search of online 
court records for both the Pickaway County Common Pleas Court and 
Circleville Municipal Court found no information on a warrant for Tackett.

Rodney Fyffe, 27, warrant from Pike County.

Kaitlin Landrum, 24, warrant charging misdemeanor receiving stolen 
property from Chillicothe Municipal Court. She pleaded not guilty to 
the charge in court Thursday and was released on bond.

Arnold Haney, 30, charged with felony possession of drug abuse 
instruments and a felony warrant out of Indiana

Jason Hall, 34, warrant from Pike County.

Ashley Rowley, 23, charged with endangering children. She pleaded not 
guilty to the charge - which court records list as a misdemeanor - 
Thursday and was released on bond.

In addition, the juvenile girl was released to her grandparents after 
Children Services was notified.

David Berman and Mike Throne contributed to this story.
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