An Ohio State University student has been killed in Oldham County after being abducted in Mansfield, Ohio.
Kentucky State Police said that on Monday afternoon at approximately 3:20, troopers were contacted by Gallatin County dispatch in reference to a 911 call from a witness, stating they observed a distressed female, 20-year-old Skylar Williams, of Mansfield, Ohio, at a gas station as she was forced into a vehicle by a male. The caller stated it appeared that Williams was asking for help and that the vehicle then sped off traveling toward southbound Interstate-71. Troopers were dispatched to attempt to locate the vehicle, which was described as a dark colored Dodge Caravan with a Quebec, Canada license plate.
Troopers observed a vehicle traveling southbound in Henry County that closely matched the description provided. State police said a traffic stop was initiated near the 34 mile-marker but the Caravan failed to stop, with KSP pursuing the Caravan.
The chase continued into neighboring Oldham County with the driver, 24-year-old Ty’rell Pounds, of Mansfield, Ohio, continuing to evade. Troopers attempted to use stop sticks near the 22-mile marker, but Pounds was able to evade the deployment, according to police.
The pursuit continued southbound on I-71, with Pounds continuing to evade responding units. Once the pursuit entered Oldham County, troopers were joined by the Oldham County Police Department and Oldham County Sheriff’s Office. Units from these agencies, as well as troopers, positioned themselves at exit 14 ramp (Pee Wee Valley/Crestwood).
KSP said Pounds exited the interstate on the Pee Wee Valley ramp where he then crossed Hwy 329 while attempting to reenter the interstate. Due to public safety concerns, the primary KSP pursuit unit performed a PIT maneuver to prevent Pounds from reentering the highway. After the vehicle came to a stop on the ramp, the trooper attempted to apprehend the suspect when the trooper heard a gunshot come from inside the Caravan. The trooper perceived the gunshot as an immediate, deadly threat to himself and the female passenger, police said. The trooper then drew his service weapon and fired, at which time the suspect was struck and killed.
During this event, Williams was struck by at least one round of gunfire, police said. She was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital where she was pronounced dead by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
KSP said in cooperation with Ohio authorities, it has been confirmed that Pounds was the suspect in the Mansfield, Ohio abduction of Williams.
The investigation is being led by the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team.
Williams was a student at Ohio State University’s Mansfield campus.
(Photo: Ty’rell Pounds and Skylar Williams, provided by Ohio St. University)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
