A Bluffton police officer has been killed an attempt to stop suspects driving at high speeds across the state. Three suspects have been apprehended as of 12:49 p.m., according to the State Highway Patrol.

A vehicle speeding in excess of 100 m.p.h. was identified multiple times by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in the early hours of March 31.

At 2:30 a.m. Bluffton Police officer Dominic Francis was attempting to deploy stop sticks when he was struck by the suspect vehicle. Officer Francis later succumbed to his injuries from the crash.

The three suspects then left their vehicle and fled on foot eastbound.

About 3:00 a.m. a Toyota Prius was stolen from a residence on County Road 29. At about this  time, one of the suspects was located in this area.

The stolen Prius was located by the Ohio Highway Patrol on I-71 northbound near milepost 208. The vehicle and suspect were stopped in the city of Elyria.

All law enforcement agencies in the area, including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Hancock County Sheriff’s Department and Bluffton Police Department, as well as surrounding agencies are engaged in the search for a third suspect.

The suspect has been described as a young African American male in black pants and a grey sweatshirt. Reports can be made to the Findlay dispatch center at 419-423-1414.

A 10:00 a.m. Ohio State Highway Patrol news conference in Findlay can be viewed in this WTOL 11 video at https://fb.watch/c5xwlfcZCH/

INITIAL REPORT

Bluffton Schools cancelled and Bluffton University was in lockdown mode (until 12:30 p.m.) during a manhunt by law enforcement. At 8:30 a.m. Allen County Public Safety scanner indicated that two of three individuals sought may have been apprehended.

I-75 was closed in both directions and both were to be open by about 9:50 a.m.

The initial message from Hancock County Sheriff's Office:

"The sheriff's office and multiple other police agencies are currently searching for three individuals who fled after a pursuit on IR 75 at Bluffton.

"We are encouraging the public to stay away from this area. The affected area is surrounding Bluffton."

CAMPUS LOCKDOWN

Statement from Bluffton University:

Residential students: Stay in your rooms.

Commuter students and Employees: Stay home. Do not report to campus at this time.

We will continue to send updates to students, faculty and staff via campus email and RAVE emergency texts.