Ohio's crime bureau takes over investigation of fatal police shooting of man in Wal-Mart

Ohio's state crime bureau has taken over investigation of the fatal police shooting of a man in a suburban Dayton Wal-Mart store.

Bureau of Criminal Investigation spokeswoman Jill Del Greco said Thursday that Beavercreek's police chief requested that BCI act as independent investigator in the case. When done, BCI will turn its findings over to the Montgomery County prosecutor.

She said a crime scene unit and special investigators had gone to Beavercreek for the probe.

Police have said the 22-year-old man waved a rifle at customers and was fatally shot Tuesday night when he wouldn't drop the weapon. John Crawford of suburban Cincinnati died at a hospital.

Del Greco declined comment Thursday on contentions by Crawford family members and friends that his gun was a toy. She said that's part of the investigation.

Authorities said a 37-year-old female customer, Angela Williams of Fairborn, died after suffering a medical problem during evacuation of the store.

A man who witnessed the scene told a 911 dispatcher that a man with a rifle was near the pet supplies section and appeared to be loading the firearm.

Del Greco said there's no timetable for completing the investigation, and it will be up to the country prosecutor to decide whether the case should be taken to a grand jury.

Authorities said both police officers involved are on paid administrative leave.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said by email Wednesday that the company is working with investigators and is "deeply saddened about the loss of life."

Authorities say it also could be weeks before final autopsy results are known about the woman who died during the evacuation.

Williams had worked two years as a floor nurse and then staffing administrator at Villa Springfield nursing home. Co-workers told WHIO-TV that Williams was supposed to get married this weekend.

The nursing home's administrator, Bill Robinson, called her a compassionate, free-spirited person.

"This is a great loss to us because Angie went above and beyond every day to help anybody out in every area of the building," Robinson said.