McKnight not indicted in Krystal Barrows' shooting

CHILLICOTHE – A Ross County grand jury did not return a secret indictment for Ross County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Brett McKnight in the accidental death of Krystal Barrows.

The Ohio Attorney General's Office met with the grand jury Friday, said Jill Del Greco, spokeswoman for the state office. The case is now closed because the grand jury did not return the indictment.

Details of the grand jury's decision are secret under Ohio law, Del Greco said. She could not comment on McKnight's future with the Ross County Sheriff's Office.

Barrows, 35, was killed during service of a warrant Dec. 11, 2013, when McKnight's gun inadvertently fired. Barrows was struck by a bullet during the no-knock search warrant at a residence off U.S. 23 South when the single round was fired as law enforcement entered.

She died the next day in a Columbus hospital.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation later determined the round had come from a submachine gun held by McKnight, who reported he never realized the gun had fired. A shell casing was found just outside the home, and evidence showed the bullet had passed through the home from the outside before hitting Barrows.

The initial investigation was completed and sent to Ross County Prosecutor Matthew Schmidt in February 2014, who asked the attorney general's office to take an independent look and make a recommendation on how to proceed.

The attorney general's office turned over the investigation to its special prosecutors, who then asked BCI to follow up on some additional questions surrounding the case, Del Greco said.

McKnight was initially placed on administrative leave after the shooting, but he was put back on active duty in February 2014 at the recommendation of his doctor and with clearance from the sheriff office's insurance provider.

As of December, McKnight was serving as a shift supervisor on road patrol, according to Lt. Mike Preston, and was not allowed to perform tactical work.

Information on McKnight's current standing with the department has yet to be released.