A former Ohio police officer who shot and killed a black man as he walked out of a garage four years ago in Columbus was found guilty of murder on Monday. Adam Coy, who is white, faces life in prison for fatally shooting Andre Hill, 47, in December 2020.Mr Hill had been carrying a mobile phone and keys when Coy shot him four times.
Coy, 48, told jurors he thought Mr Hill was holding a silver revolver. “I thought I was going to die,” he said, testifying he realised his mistake when he rolled over Mr Hill’s body and saw there was no weapon. “I knew at that point I made a mistake,” he said. “I was horrified.”
Coy had responded to a complaint about someone inside a running vehicle at about 01:30 in the morning when he first encountered Mr Hill, sitting inside an SUV. The former officer said Mr Hill seemed dismissive, and that he was suspicious when Mr Hill went to a nearby house and knocked on the door, before entering through the garage. An investigation later found the house belonged to a friend of Mr Hill’s.
Coy used a flashlight to spot Mr Hill in the garage and ordered him to come out. Police body camera footage showed Mr Hill then come out of the garage holding a mobile phone in his left hand, his right hand not visible, seconds before he was gunned down by Coy. Almost 10 minutes went by before officers at the scene gave Mr Hill medical attention. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The Incident
The incident occurred on December 22, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio, when Coy, responding to a non-emergency call, encountered Hill in a garage. Hill, who was holding a cell phone, was shot by Coy within seconds of the officer’s arrival. The shooting sparked outrage as details emerged, including the fact that Coy did not activate his body camera until after the shooting, though the device captured 60 seconds of footage before it was turned on.
The Trial and Verdict
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Coy used excessive force and failed to take any de-escalation measures. The defense, meanwhile, claimed Coy feared for his safety. However, the jury found Copy’s actions unjustifiable, convicting him of murder, with prosecutors emphasizing that Hill posed no immediate threat. This verdict reflects a shift in how the justice system is responding to cases of police violence.
Community Reaction
The verdict brought a sense of relief to Hill’s family, who have been vocal advocates for justice since his death. “This is the accountability we have been fighting for,” Hill’s family said in a statement. “While nothing can bring Andre back, this decision shows that his life mattered.” Activists and community leaders have also called the ruling a step toward justice, though they stress that broader reforms are still needed.
Moving Forward
Coy’s conviction marks one of the rare instances where a police officer has been held criminally responsible for a fatal shooting while on duty. Advocates hope the case will set a precedent for greater accountability and changes in policing policies. Columbus officials have pledged to review use-of-force guidelines and training requirements to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The decision represents a turning point, as communities across the country continue to push for transparency, accountability, and a justice system that serves and protects all citizens equally.
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