Emirati student is shot dead by police in Ohio

Saif Alameri, 26, killed by a gunshot to the head after scuffle with officer.

ABU DHABI // An Emirati student has been shot dead by a police officer in Ohio, the US.

Saif Nasser Mubarak Alameri, 26, was killed by a gunshot to the head in Hudson on Sunday, the Summit County medical examiner’s office said.

The Akron Beacon Journal reported that Mr Alameri had caused a car crash and ran away from the vehicle.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Hudson Police Department searched for him and eventually found him in nearby woods. The city of Hudson said that there was a struggle between an officer and Mr Alameri, and then shots were fired.

“A police officer caught up to Alameri, a struggle ensued and the officer opened fire, police reported,” the Journal said.

Police unsuccessfully performed first aid on Mr Alameri at the scene.

The officer was treated for minor injuries and is now on paid leave pending the results of the investigation.

Police said the car Mr Alameri was driving swiped with another vehicle and his car flipped over, according to witnesses.

“I just saw a horrible accident,” said one caller, describing how the car had flipped on to its roof. Another two callers described a similar situation.

Mr Alameri was studying law on a scholarship in America, and had completed his first year at Case Western Reserve University.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it was closely following the investigation into the Mr Alameri’s death.

Mohammed Al Raisi, Undersecretary to the ministry, said: “In light of this follow-up, and after details of the painful incident are clarified by the authorities, the ministry will issue a more comprehensive statement at a later time.”

A hashtag for Mr Alameri was trending on Twitter last night as UAE social media users spread the news of his death.

Hudson, with a population of 22,000, is in north-eastern Ohio, about 50km from Cleveland.