On August 5, 2014, the 22-year-old father of two picked up an un-packaged BB/pellet gun inside of the Walmart near Dayton, Ohio near the sporting goods section. Another customer, later identified as Ronald Ritchie, called 911. Two members of the Beavercreek Police force, Officer Sean Williams and Sgt. David M. Darkow, arrived at the Walmart shortly after being informed of a “subject with a gun.” Crawford was shot soon after the officers arrived and pronounced dead at Miami Valley Hospital. Ritchie said Crawford pointed the gun at people as they walked by.
He later recanted his statement, telling officials that “at no point did he shoulder the rifle and point it at somebody.” Video footage supports Ritchie’s second claim.
