Damon Christopher Gayheart

Deadly force

After finding a suspicious other, officers discovered the other was reported stolen from Akron, Ohio. Upon contact by officers, the driver, Damon Christopher Gayheart, became uncooperative, so the trooper attempted to remove the person from the other. The man began to flee, and the trooper allegedly was dragged by the other. The deputies and trooper pursued the stolen other for several miles southbound on Greenville Road. While in pursuit, the other caught fire and became fully engulfed. At the end of the pursuit, Gayheart was fatally shot by the trooper for reasons that continue to be withheld by police.