COLUMBUS, Ohio — A firearms instructor has been charged with negligent homicide following a fatal accident during a training exercise in April. The incident, which resulted in the death of Lt. Rodney Osborne, occurred when the instructor mistakenly fired a live round into the officer’s chest.
According to investigative records released, the trainer, identified as David Pearson, was demonstrating firearm techniques to Lt. Osborne during a drill at a state corrections department facility in Pickaway County on April 9.
Pearson who was instructing Osborne who he says was having issues drawing from his holster and leveling on a target correctly stood in front of Osborne and performed a “mirror drill,” face-to-face technique where both people are supposed to perform a action together. Both drew their weapons when Pearson pulled his weapon and pointed his pistol went off and a round hit Osborne in the chest.
The Ohio Highway State Patrol report indicates that Pearson had been instructing the class on drawing his weapon, believing the exercise involved no live ammunition. “I thought I was clear. I thought I was good. I thought it was clean,” Pearson told investigators.
Pearson, who served as the lead instructor during the training, has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of negligent homicide. His attorney declined to comment on the report, noting that a pre-trial hearing is scheduled for September.
Lt. Rodney Osborne, 43, was a member of the special operations teams within the state corrections department and worked at the state prison in Lucasville.
