4-year-old in dentist office killed as shootout erupts in Columbiana County, cops say

A 4-year-old girl died after being struck by a stray bullet during a shootout involving police, Ohio authorities say.

The incident began just after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, when officers in St. Clair Township responded to a report about a possible suicidal man, police said. Within moments, the man opened fire on the officers.

Officers returned fire, striking and killing the 30-year-old armed suspect, according to the St. Clair Township Police Department. But an officer and 4-year-old girl were also struck during the exchanging of gunfire.

Police said Detective Dakota Wetzel was shot in the head, and he was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital in critical condition. In a Thursday morning update, police said he was upgraded to stable condition.

“Detective Wetzel was able to open his eyes and give family members a thumbs up overnight,” police said. “He remains in intensive care at the hospital but we are optimistic.”

The 4-year-old girl, however, did not survive her injuries, the department said. She was shot when a bullet came through a neighboring business, which WTAE and WEWS reported was a dentist office, and she died after being taken to a separate hospital.

Police identified the girl as Rosalie Martin. She was shot in the head, her grandmother said in a Facebook post.

“This tragedy has left this family in shambles,” loved ones said in a GoFundMe.

This story was originally published January 23, 2025 at 3:18 PM with the headline "4-year-old in dentist office killed as shootout erupts in Columbiana County, cops say."