Ohio State University Student And Her Kidnapper Killed In Police Chase

A student from the Ohio State University, Mansfield Campus, was shot dead in a police chase in Kentucky on Tuesday. A man suspected of kidnapping her at gunpoint was also killed in the chase.

Skylar Williams, a 22-year-old student, was kidnapped by a man identified as Ty’rell Pounds from the school’s parking lot Monday morning. He approached her displaying a handgun, forced her into his car and took off, according to the university’s Department of Public Safety.

Kentucky State police said they got a call about a woman asking for help at a gas station in Gallatin County, Montana, and was later forced into a stolen dark-colored Dodge Caravan. The police chased the car on I-71 in Oldham City, Kentucky, till it left the highway and stopped on a ramp.

They heard gunfire coming from inside the vehicle and a trooper drew his service weapon and fired at the suspect who died.

“During this event, the female passenger was struck by at least one round of gunfire,” the trooper said. It was unclear whether Williams was shot by the trooper or Pounds.

Williams was transferred by Oldham County emergency medical services personnel to the University of Louisville Hospital where a Jefferson County coroner pronounced her dead.

Police were later told that Pounds and Williams were in a custody battle over their son, who was safe at the time of Williams’ abduction. In September 2018, Williams accused her former partner Pounds of sexual assault and even filed a restraining order against him Jan. 3 after he tried to pull her into his car at a gas station.

According to court documents, Pounds and Williams shared turbulent relationship even before she filed another restraining order in 2018. Pounds had filed a motion for visitation of their baby but the ruling was never made. Williams was dating Pounds in high school and was warned by multiple people about his abusive behavior.

Michael Drake, Ohio State University president, said his thoughts and prayers go to Williams’ family since they had suffered a tragic loss. He also said additional counseling and consulting services were made available to the members of the university community who needed the support.

In a post on Facebook, before the abduction, Pounds wrote, “Your mother kept me away from you and I was fighting for you through the court system!! Your mother kept teasing and I got overwhelmed, I am so sorry you have to grow up without us baby!”