Ali Hamsa Yusuf Obituary
Ali Hamsa Yusuf, an Amazon employee, tragically lost his life in two gun-related incidents on Sunday. Yusuf worked as a security guard at the Amazon fulfillment center in Columbus, as confirmed by the West Jefferson police. On Sunday afternoon, he fired at least one shot at the facility before fleeing the scene before the arrival of officers.
Approximately 90 minutes later, law enforcement caught up with Yusuf near the intersection of Georgesville and Clime roads, leading to a shootout. During the exchange of gunfire, Yusuf was fatally wounded and succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.
Fortunately, the Columbus police officer who was struck by a bullet was released from Grant Medical Center and is expected to recover. The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) spokesperson, Brian Steel, credited the officer’s bulletproof vest for saving his life, emphasizing the importance of such protective gear.
The identity of the injured officer has not been disclosed. The chaotic events unfolded at the Amazon fulfillment center located in the 6400 block of State Route 29 Northeast in West Jefferson around 4:45 p.m. on Sunday. By the time law enforcement personnel from various agencies arrived, Yusuf had already left the premises and was at large.
A call to 911 from an employee at the fulfillment center provided a harrowing account of the situation. The caller, who identified Yusuf as their trainee, reported that he had fired shots at them but missed. They expressed fear for their life, stating that Yusuf was leaving the parking lot in a car.
Police confirmed that Yusuf had fired at least one shot, injuring a Columbus Police Department (CPD) officer. In response, officers returned fire. At around 6:50 p.m., a Columbus police dispatcher informed WSYX that the suspect was in critical condition at Doctors West Hospital.
However, just ten minutes later, it was confirmed that Yusuf had passed away. Although no injuries were reported among Amazon employees, West Jefferson Police Chief Brandon Smith noted that there were bullet holes in the front entry and glass of the facility. The investigation into the incidents is ongoing.
