U.S. Marshal Shot While Chasing Fugitive

CANTON, OH – A U.S. Marshal was shot by a fleeing fugitive in the area of 17th Ave. NE and Regent Ave. NE in Canton.

Members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF), the Canton Police SWAT Team, and Deputies from the Stark County Sheriff’s Office all responded to a home in the 1700 block of Regent Ave. on the evening of March 24th, 2021 where fugitive Aaron Pierre Thomas, 33, was believed to be hiding.

Thomas was wanted by the Danville Police Department in Virginia. Thomas has a violent criminal history and warrants were issued on March 22, 2021, for armed robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and aggravated assault. Members of the Capital Area Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF) believed that Thomas fled from Virginia to Ohio and was actively hiding from law enforcement.

As officers approached the home where they believed Thomas had been staying, Thomas attempted to break a window out of a second-story home. After breaking the window out, he fled out of the front door of the home and opened fire on the officers on scene.

One member of the NOVFTF was struck by the suspect’s gunfire. Officers then returned fire and hit Thomas. Officers and medics on scene rendered aid to both the officer and suspect and both were transported to Canton area hospitals. The officer is in stable condition and will likely be released from the hospital soon. Thomas is currently in critical condition. A loaded firearm belonging to the suspect was recovered at the scene. Both the United States Marshals Service and the Canton Police Department have requested The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to conduct the investigation and review into this officer-involved shooting.