Ohio Woman Killed By Errant Shot in Drug Raid

Submitted by Phillip Smith on Mon, 12/23/2013 - 3:51am (Issue #815)

Drug War Issues

2013 Drug War Killings

A Ross County, Ohio, woman was shot and killed in an apparent accidental discharge of a deputy's weapon during a December 11 drug raid. Krystal Barrows, 35, becomes the 39^th person to die in US domestic drug law enforcement operations so far this year.

Krystal Barrows (facebook.com)

According to the Chillicothe Gazette, citing law enforcement sources, the US 23 Task Force was preparing to raid the home, where they expected to encounter a large amount of heroin, as well as weapons, when the weapon of a deputy standing outside the mobile home discharged, traveling through the wall and striking Barrows.

When police entered the mobile home, Barrows was sitting on the living room couch "in critical condition" from a bullet wound to the head. She was taken from the scene in a medical helicopter, but was pronounced dead upon arrival at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center.

Six people were charged during the raid; two others were detained and questioned before being released. A total of 11 people, including a juvenile female, were inside the mobile home when the US 23 Task Force arrived to serve the warrant. The raiders found what they were looking for: "large amounts of heroin," multiple weapons, a large amount of cash, and likely stolen goods.

Barrows, a mother of three, had no criminal record except for one arrest for public intoxication.

The police shooter has been identified as Ross County Sheriff's Sgt. Brett McKnight, an 11-year veteran of the force. The Ohio Bureau of Investigation is looking into the case.

Local media complained that the sheriff's office refused to release incident reports on the raid and shooting, even though the state Supreme Court has ruled that they must be released immediately.

News Brief

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Comments

Shane Rife (not verified)

Ross County Sheriffs

I was in that jail for 65 days. 15 days on the floor of a holding cell, up front. I saw and listened to every thing that was said. Every one of those cops are crooked. I took notes. I have a case against them in the Ohio Superior Court. But the Sheriff refuses service. An independent investigation will be needed. Ps I beat my criminal case.My attorney,

(Take them to the Box) James Bulger.. Rocks!!!

Mon, 12/23/2013 - 3:55pm Permalink

Anonymous9999 (not verified)

accountability

Local media complained that the sheriff's office refused to release incident reports on the raid and shooting, even though the state Supreme Court has ruled that they must be released immediately.

Mon, 12/23/2013 - 4:02pm Permalink

Reality Awareness (not verified)

Another killer cop on the

Another killer cop on the loose and the media continue to help hide it. Guns do not malfunction, the cop pulled the trigger. Anyone else do the same and it's attempted murder. Cop does it, and it's a malfunction. Welcome to the police state of America. "Patriots". blame yourselves.

Tue, 12/24/2013 - 2:06pm Permalink

Mark Mitcham (not verified)

"the weapon discharged"?

Don't they mean "He shot her"? Sounds like the gun was possessed, when they say "the weapon discharged. " I guess the devil did it!

Tue, 12/24/2013 - 6:18pm Permalink

Beverly Wilkes (not verified)

Chillicothe Deputy who killed innocent woman back on the job

Per Today's Chillicothe Gazette, Deputy Brett McKnight, who shot and killed Krystal Barrows in a drug raid in December, has been back on the job for more than a month. Barrows, single mother of three, was not implicated in drug charges. I live in Chillicothe and feel unsafe knowing McKnight is back on the job!

Tue, 03/18/2014 - 11:43am Permalink