Former Columbus officer enters plea deal in fatal shooting

Former Columbus Police Department K-9 officer Ricky Anderson has entered an Alford plea to reckless homicide in connection with the 2022 fatal shooting of Donovan Lewis. Under the terms of the plea deal, the state agreed to drop a murder charge. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.

The incident occurred in August 2022 when officers entered Lewis’ apartment to execute warrants. Family attorneys contend that bodycam footage shows Anderson fired within one second of opening the bedroom door where Lewis was sleeping. Anderson faces potential sentencing ranging from probation to three years in prison.