“Kidnapping Suspect Connected to Shooting on Ohio State West Campus”
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio State University police are searching for a suspect wanted in connection with a recent shooting on campus, who is also facing kidnapping charges.
The shooting occurred around 8:30 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Olentangy River Road and John H. Herrick Drive, close to the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine. According to dispatchers, a man who is neither a student nor staff member flagged down a bus at the intersection, reporting that he had been shot.
The victim, who is unhoused, told police that the shooting followed an altercation with another unhoused individual named Richard James Patridge. Patridge, 31, has been sought by Columbus police since September 4 in connection with the kidnapping of a woman outside of Bexley. He also has multiple active felony warrants and was previously seen riding a motorcycle.
Ohio State University police have established a perimeter around the shooting scene and are actively searching for Patridge. They have advised the public to secure their homes by locking doors and windows, and to remain vigilant, especially when walking alone. The police have asked anyone who sees Patridge to contact 911 and avoid approaching him directly.
Emergency medical crews transported the shooting victim to a local hospital, where he was reported to be in serious condition but had stabilized by 10:20 p.m.
