MANSFIELD, Ohio – UPDATED – The Richland County Courthouse was on lockdown early Thursday morning after a shot was fired by building security during the regular meeting of the Richland County Commissioners.
Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon addressed the media outside the courthouse and said that an incident occurred in the commissioners’ boardroom, and the human resources director went to building security for assistance.
“Once inside the boardroom, an altercation ensued between the building security and Mike Skidmore. Several of the building security officers were injured. They are being treated at MedCentral. Mike Skidmore was taken into custody and he’s going to be booked into the Richland County Jail,” said Sheldon.
“The one shot that was fired didn’t hit anybody, and we have the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, BCI, coming in from the state to process the crime scene,” he continued.
Sheldon said that a 911 call was placed at approximately 9:44 a.m. regarding the shot fired, and the sheriff’s office was able to respond with approximately 20 to 25 deputies. “We had a classroom training going on, so we had a lot of deputies actually working today,” he said.
Sheldon could not expand on the injuries sustained by security officers, other than one had a bite mark on his face, and others had abrasions.
Sheldon said it was unknown to him in what capacity Skidmore was attending the meeting, or exactly what sparked the incident. “I think there was some inappropriate actions on his part, allegedly; and when that happened, building security went in and that’s when the fight ensued and several officers were injured.”
Wayne McDowell was witness to the incident and said that Skidmore, who was wearing a miniature camera around his neck, had questions about the agenda, and had leaned over the secretary’s shoulder to take a picture of her computer screen, when someone noted that Skidmore had touched the secretary.
“He didn’t touch her sexually,” said McDowell, “he might have brushed her with his arm…It was blown out of proportion.”
McDowell said three building security officers came in after being requested by the human resources officer.
“Three of them showed up,” McDowell said. “Skidmore was back standing against the wall. One of the officers approached Skidmore and he grabbed the camera. And so Skidmore hit back and a tussle ensued…then the guy took his gun out and I thought he’d shot him. I took off running.”
Sheldon said he speculated the shot fired was accidental, but the investigation would continue.
Sheldon said he was unsure of what the charge would be against Skidmore. “But I’m assuming it would be some kind of felony assault charge. I’m not sure at this point,” he said. Sheldon added that he was unsure what injuries Skidmore sustained in the incident.
He added that he had had contact with Skidmore in the past. “I know Mike. He’s very concrete in his beliefs about certain things and about the way government should run. Sometimes I think he gets maybe a little bit overzealous.
“Generally, we can talk to him. I think the sheriff’s office has had congenial conversation with him in the past. We’ve tried to fill every request that he’s had. He’s come down wanting a copy of this or a copy of that, and we’ve always tried to provide it to him. He’s a little gruff on the edges, but he’s very concrete in his beliefs, I think is the best way to put it,” said Sheldon.
The courthouse will remained closed the remainder of the day, said Major Joe Masi. “The employees will be allowed to work inside, but no one from the public will be allowed access.”
Thursday afternoon, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office released a statement which affirmed that the office had received a call at 9:44 a.m. with a report that a shooting had occurred at the Richland County Board of Commissioners’ Office.
The statement continued, “Deputies from the sheriff’s office responded to the scene and it was determined that there had been a disturbance at the commissioners’ public board meeting. The human resources director contacted building security, which is immediately adjacent at the front door. Two county building security officers responded to the Board of Commissioners’ boardroom and were subsequently assaulted while trying to restrain the suspect, Michael Skidmore.
“During the confrontation one of the officer’s weapons discharged, and the projectile went into a wall, and no one was struck. The two building security officers were treated and released from OhioHealth MedCentral for their injuries.
“The county building was closed the remainder of the day, with the exception that the judges continued their court cases. BCI was contacted to process the crime scene as well as investigate the incident.
“Bambi Couch, Richland County prosecutor, was on the scene and the prosecutor’s office will be consulted for charges.”
This article has been updated to include a statement by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.
