The Piqua tactical team arrives with their Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, MRAP, vehicle during the search for a man who reportedly shot a Sidney police officer. The staging area was near Highland Avenue and Lynn Street on Wednesday, Oct. 6.
Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News
Ohio State Highway Patrol officers block-off Highland Avenue at its intersection with West North Street while a search was on for a man who reportedly shot a Sidney police officer on Wednesday, Oct. 6.
Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News
Botkins police officers and an Ohio State Highway Patrol officer take out weapons upon arriving on Highland Avenue near its intersection with Lynn Avenue around 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6. A massive manhunt was underway for a man who reportedly shot a Sidney police officer. The Piqua tactical team arrived with their Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, MRAP, vehicle and a helicopter circled the area with its spotlight on. Also responding was the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson Center Police. The shot police officer was reportedly alive.
Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News
Steele
SIDNEY — Sidney Police are seeking help from the public to find the man who shot and wounded a Sidney police officer Wednesday night. As a precaution, Sidney City Schools are closed Thursday, as the suspect remains at large.
Brandon Steele, 34, is the wanted man accused of shooting Sidney Sgt. Tim Kennedy.
According to a press release from Chief Will Balling, on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, officers of the Sidney Police Department (SPD) attempted to serve a felony arrest warrant on Steele in the 700 block of Lynn Street. As officers approached the residence, Steele fled on foot. Steele and a SPD officer met towards the dead end of Ronan Street, where shots were fired. The suspect fled south again and was encountered in an alley off of Taft Street. The suspect fired his weapon at Kennedy, who was stuck by the gunfire. Steele then fled again on foot.
Kennedy was transported to Miami Valley Hospital and is currently in stable condition. Kennedy has served with SPD since 2007.
Sidney City Schools (SCS) Superintendent Bob Humble said he was informed around 5 a.m. on Thursday about the shooting and made the decision right then to close schools for the day.
“We just thought it was the safest thing to do (given) someone has already fired at a police officer, and wounded a police officer. I just didn’t feel it was safe for kids to be walking up and down the street in the dark while they are basically doing a manhunt for this guy,” Humble said. “And it happened very close to three of our schools. So, I wasn’t going to take a chance if somehow he snuck into a building or is hiding behind someone’s house and grabs a kid. It just wasn’t worth it.”
Thursday evening school activities are in a “holding pattern,” Humble said, as they try to decide whether activities will resume for the evening. School officials plan to make a decision about Thursday evening activities by noon. Humble also said the hope is to reopen school on Friday. More SCS information will be provided when available.
SDP is asking for anyone with any information on Steele’s whereabouts to please contact Sidney Police at 937-498-2351.
Steele is considered armed and dangerous.
