Ohio police saved a woman who was being held at knifepoint Sunday by her boyfriend, who was fatally shot by officers.
The incident happened at about 1:45 p.m. when Alliance police responded to a call at an apartment, WEWS-TV reports. Once police reached the scene, they saw a 59-year-old man—identified as George Appleby—holding a knife to the throat of his 68-year-old girlfriend.
Using his girlfriend as a shield, Appleby then pulled himself and the woman into an apartment. Officers forced their way inside and followed Appleby upstairs.
Appleby continued to hold a knife to his girlfriend's throat as police confronted him. An officer then opened fire, striking Appleby, who was shot and killed.
"Had the officer not fired, I believe the female would be dead right now," said Lt. Don Wensel. "The only outcome that would have been acceptable is rescuing the hostage and removing the hostage taker."
The woman was taken to the hospital, and she was treated for cuts to her throat. No officers were hurt during the incident.
"They saved my life," Tucker told WEWS about the Alliance officers.
"He tried to kill me with a butcher knife," Tucker told WEWS. "I shouldn't wish death on nobody, but he deserves what he got."
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is looking into the shooting.
