Police describe Blackwell as someone familiar to them. He has a record dating back to 1987, nothing criminal, but a noted "history of violence."
Stadium View Apartments resident, James Fusik, says, "My initial reaction is just kind of shock."
Around 12:30 Wednesday afternoon at 1608 Clough Street, officers used a manager's key to open apartment 6. A family member called them over to check on Blackwell, who lived alone. Police say they found a couch barricading the door and Blackwell, 46, aiming a gun at them.
Williams says, "Next thing I know they were yelling at him to, 'Drop the gun! Drop the gun!' And I hear shots being fired."
Williams explains no bullets came through the wall, which he shares with Blackwell, but he ducked into his bedroom just to be safe. Blackwell was shot in the chest and taken to Wood County Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Hours later, police and the Bureau of Criminal Investigations searched a car in the parking lot of the complex. Officers visibly bagged several items as evidence. Meantime, the two officers who fired their guns were put on paid administrative leave, which is a standard procedure in a case that's far from the norm.
13abc tried to contact the family of Blackwell. We were told, "No comment."
