A man has been indicted on a dozen charges in connection with the shooting at a Kroger store in Colerain Township Wednesday.According to Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers, 42-year-old Joseph Van Niman has been indicted on a dozen charges, including attempted murder, felonious assault, carrying concealed weapons, having weapons while under disability, possession of criminal tools and one count of inducing panic. Powers said if convicted, he faces up to 76 to 81-and-a-half years in prison. According to Powers, it all started Wednesday when Colerain Township police officers were in the middle of a drug investigation on Colerain Avenue and Springdale Road.During the investigation, officers said they saw Van Niman involved in what they believed was a drug deal. Powers said the officers followed him as he walked across the street and into the parking lot of the Kroger store. According to Powers, when officers gave him commands to stop, Van Niman turned toward officers with a firearm and "took a shooting stance." That's when Powers said officers pulled out their weapons, and Van Niman ran into the store and took cover near the entrance with his firearm still out.Powers said Van Niman and police exchanged gunfire, with Van Niman stepping out multiple times, pointing his firearm at officers. Van Niman tried to move deeper into the store as more officers approached but was shot by one of the officers and fell to the ground, Powers said. He was placed into custody and given life-saving measures.A bystander was hit by shrapnel during the shooting. Both the bystander and Van Niman were taken to the hospital to be treated. Originally, police said the bystander was hit by gunfire. It's unknown if it was from police or the suspect. “My office has a responsibility to review all use of force cases involving police, so I will limit my statements until that review is completed. To everyone who was present at the store that day, my heart breaks for you. No one should fear for their safety going out to buy groceries. I want it known that we intend to prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent possible for his actions. This defendant tried to take an officer’s life; we’re going to make sure his life ends in a prison cell," Powers said in a statement. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, per the department's policy. The store was reopened at 3 p.m. on Thursday. Kroger said it will be providing counseling services and support to associates.
CINCINNATI —
A man has been indicted on a dozen charges in connection with the shooting at a Kroger store in Colerain Township Wednesday.
According to Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers, 42-year-old Joseph Van Niman has been indicted on a dozen charges, including attempted murder, felonious assault, carrying concealed weapons, having weapons while under disability, possession of criminal tools and one count of inducing panic.
Advertisem*nt
Powers said if convicted, he faces up to 76 to 81-and-a-half years in prison.
According to Powers, it all started Wednesday when Colerain Township police officers were in the middle of a drug investigation on Colerain Avenue and Springdale Road.
During the investigation, officers said they saw Van Niman involved in what they believed was a drug deal. Powers said the officers followed him as he walked across the street and into the parking lot of the Kroger store.
According to Powers, when officers gave him commands to stop, Van Niman turned toward officers with a firearm and "took a shooting stance."
That's when Powers said officers pulled out their weapons, and Van Niman ran into the store and took cover near the entrance with his firearm still out.
Powers said Van Niman and police exchanged gunfire, with Van Niman stepping out multiple times, pointing his firearm at officers.
Van Niman tried to move deeper into the store as more officers approached but was shot by one of the officers and fell to the ground, Powers said. He was placed into custody and given life-saving measures.
A bystander was hit by shrapnel during the shooting. Both the bystander and Van Niman were taken to the hospital to be treated. Originally, police said the bystander was hit by gunfire. It's unknown if it was from police or the suspect.
“My office has a responsibility to review all use of force cases involving police, so I will limit my statements until that review is completed. To everyone who was present at the store that day, my heart breaks for you. No one should fear for their safety going out to buy groceries. I want it known that we intend to prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent possible for his actions. This defendant tried to take an officer’s life; we’re going to make sure his life ends in a prison cell," Powers said in a statement.
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, per the department's policy.
The store was reopened at 3 p.m. on Thursday. Kroger said it will be providing counseling services and support to associates.
