Politics Courts & legal

Tamari Stroughter Sentenced to 36 to 40 Years in Columbus Police Shootout and Robberies

The 19-year-old received at least 14 mandatory years after pleading guilty to felonious assault and robbery.

Tamari Stroughter in a black skullcap and tan correctional jumpsuit standing in court with a sheriff's deputy.

Tamari Stroughter appears alongside a Franklin County sheriff's deputy during his sentencing in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

Credit: WSYX Image source

Tamari Stroughter, 19, was sentenced to 36 to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to robbery and felonious assault, according to the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office and WSYX.

Under the sentence, Stroughter will have to serve at least 14 years of mandatory prison time and will receive 657 days of jail credit. The judge also discussed the possibility of judicial release after 18 years, depending on Stroughter's behavior in prison.

Stroughter was accused of firing a rifle at officers before running from the scene on Jan. 9, 2025, according to reporting by WCMH. Stroughter was arrested as a juvenile after being accused of shooting at four officers following a fight with his girlfriend on Lockbourne Road, according to WSYX. His 20-count adult indictment also folded in charges from armed robberies committed in July and August 2024, according to 10TV's reporting.

During the sentencing, the judge cited Stroughter's behavior while in custody, noting that he spat on guards and told officers to get better aim and upgrade their bullets, according to WSYX.

Defense attorney Larry Thomas told the court Stroughter had dealt with behavioral and mental health issues since childhood, including placement in a foster home at age 11, stays in behavioral institutions, and counseling for bipolar anxiety and PTSD, according to WSYX.

Before learning his sentence, Stroughter apologized to the court, saying, “I'd like to say I apologize to the victims in this case and to my family and the loved ones and the officers,” according to WSYX.

How we know this

The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.

  1. Image evidence

    WSYX

    Accessed

    Supporting evidence (6)
    • Tamari Stroughter, 19, was sentenced to 36 to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to robbery and felonious assault, according to the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office and WSYX.

      Read supporting passage
      A 19-year-old Columbus man convicted of shooting at four Columbus police officers was sentenced to 36 to 40 years in prison
    • Under the sentence, Stroughter will have to serve at least 14 years of mandatory prison time and will receive 657 days of jail credit.

      Read supporting passage
      The judge said Stroughter will receive 657 days of jail credit. Under the sentence, Stroughter will have to serve at least 14 years of mandatory prison time.
    • The judge also discussed the possibility of judicial release after 18 years, depending on Stroughter's behavior in prison.

      Read supporting passage
      The judge also discussed the possibility of judicial release after 18 years, depending on Stroughter’s behavior in prison.
    • During the sentencing, the judge cited Stroughter's behavior while in custody, noting that he spat on guards and told officers to get better aim and upgrade their bullets, according to WSYX.

      Read supporting passage
      During the sentencing, the judge cited Stroughter’s behavior while in custody, saying, “Not only did Mr. Stroughter spit on the guards, but he also told your officers to get better aim and matter of fact, upgrade your bullets.”
    • Defense attorney Larry Thomas told the court Stroughter had dealt with behavioral and mental health issues since childhood, including placement in a foster home at age 11, stays in behavioral institutions, and counseling for bipolar anxiety and PTSD, according to WSYX.

      Read supporting passage
      Stroughter’s attorney, Larry Thomas, told the court Stroughter has dealt with behavioral and mental health issues since childhood. “At 11 I believe he's been placed in a foster home, he's been in and out of foster homes since that time,” Thomas said. “He's been in different behavioral institutions. He's always received some type of mental health counseling by polar anxiety and PTSD.”
    • Before learning his sentence, Stroughter apologized to the court, saying, “I'd like to say I apologize to the victims in this case and to my family and the loved ones and the officers,” according to WSYX.

      Read supporting passage
      Before learning his sentence, Stroughter apologized in court. “Yes, your honor. I'd like to say I apologize to the victims in this case and to my family and the loved ones and the officers,” he said.
  2. Columbus man sentenced to at least 36 years in prison for shooting at police as a teen

    www.10tv.com

    Published · Accessed

    Supporting evidence (1)
    • Tamari Stroughter, 19, was sentenced to 36 to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to robbery and felonious assault, according to the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office and WSYX.

      Read supporting passage
      The Franklin County Prosecutor's Office said Tamari Stroughter was sentenced to 36 to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to robbery and felonious assault.
  3. https://hoodline.com/2026/10/columbus-teen-gets-36-to-40-years-for-shooting-at-four-police-officers/

    hoodline.com

    Accessed

    Supporting evidence (4)
    • Stroughter was accused of firing a rifle at officers before running from the scene on Jan. 9, 2025, according to reporting by WCMH.

      Read supporting passage
      The shooting itself dates to January 9, 2025, when, as reported by WCMH/NBC4, Stroughter allegedly fired a rifle at officers before running from the scene.
    • Stroughter was arrested as a juvenile after being accused of shooting at four officers following a fight with his girlfriend on Lockbourne Road, according to WSYX.

      Read supporting passage
      Lockbourne Rd. — Reported Shooting At Police Officers
    • Stroughter was arrested as a juvenile after being accused of shooting at four officers following a fight with his girlfriend on Lockbourne Road, according to WSYX.

      Read supporting passage
      According to WSYX, Stroughter was arrested as a juvenile after being accused of shooting at the four officers following a fight with his girlfriend.
    • His 20-count adult indictment also folded in charges from armed robberies committed in July and August 2024, according to 10TV's reporting.

      Read supporting passage
      Those 20 counts weren't limited to the police shooting. 10TV's reporting indicates Stroughter was also accused in connection with armed robberies in July and August 2024, incidents that were folded into the broader indictment alongside the shooting case.

Take Pique with you

Your city. In your pocket.

Read local stories, watch the videos and explore the details in Pique.

QR code for Pique Media on the App Store

Get Pique for iPhone and iPad

Scan the code with your phone’s camera.

View on the App Store