FINDLAY, Ohio (WLIO) – Hancock County Prosecutor Sean Abbott says his office has closed the case in the October officer-involved shooting in a Findlay park that left a teenager dead.
Abbott said his office reviewed the evidence and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s findings in the shooting of 17-year-old Kalvin Darapheth and determined that the use of force by Findlay Police Officer Kyle Bormuth was “objectively reasonable under the circumstances” based on previous case law.
As an officer pursued him, he allegedly fired two shots at Bormuth, who returned fire, injuring the teen.
On Oct. 28, Findlay officers were called to Bernard Park following a complaint of three teenagers drinking.
When officers spoke with the teens, officials said Darapheth took off running. As an officer pursued him, he allegedly fired two shots at Bormuth, who returned fire, injuring the teen. Darapheth later died at the hospital.
Abbott said the case is now considered closed.
You can watch the body camera footage from the incident on October 28, 2024 below:
October 28, 2024, Body Camera Footage from the Findlay Police Department. Please note that this footage could be disturbing to some viewers.
Prosecutor Provides Update on Bernard Park Officer-Involved Shooting Incident
January 28, 2025, Press Release from the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office: Hancock County Prosecutor Sean M. Abbott announced that the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office has concluded its review of the officer-involved critical incident that occurred on October 28, 2024 at Bernard Park, 1105 Bernard Ave. in Findlay that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Kalvin Darapheth. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducted the case investigation and presented all the evidence to the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office for its review. “After careful review of all the facts and evidence, I have concluded that the application of the use of deadly force by City of Findlay Police Officer Kyle Bormuth was objectively reasonable under the circumstances as defined by Tennessee v. Garner, 471 U.S. 1 (1985) and Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989). Therefore, our office will not be presenting this matter to the Hancock County grand jury and this investigation will be considered closed,” Abbott said.
On October 28, 2024, Findlay Police Department officers were dispatched to Bernard Park, 1105 Bernard Ave, Findlay, Ohio to investigate a complaint of juveniles consuming alcoholic beverages while in the park. Upon arrival, officers encountered three (3) juveniles, including Darapheth, in possession of alcoholic beverages. While engaged in conversation, prior to being arrested, Darapheth fled the area on foot resulting in Officer Bormuth giving chase.
Darapheth is then seen on police body worn camera footage brandishing a handgun and firing two rounds at Officer Bormuth. Officer Bormuth returned fire, firing eight rounds at Darapheth and striking him four times. During a crime scene search, Darapheth was found to have fired three additional rounds after Officer Bormuth returned fire. The body worn camera did not capture visual footage of Darapheth firing the last 3 rounds, but the shots are heard on camera footage and additional casings were discovered near Darapheth. The firearm utilized by Darapheth in the incident was reported stolen on September 19, 2024.
Darapheth was treated at the scene and transported to Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay. He was later flown to ProMedica Toledo Hospital where Darapheth succumbed to his injuries the following day, on October 29, 2024.
