On September 3rd, 2023, Ohio officers respond to a frantic 911 report that George Applebee has cut his girlfriend's throat and is dragging her back inside with a knife at her neck, arriving to screams and a locked door. Police hear the victim is still being held in a back bedroom. Officers attempt commands and negotiation, but the suspect refuses to surrender as they force entry with tools. When the door finally opens, they see the woman injured and the knife pressed to her throat. With no clear path to safely disarm him, an officer fires, ending the threat. The victim, Anita, is pulled out and rushed for medical care, suffering serious neck lacerations, but surviving. Police state lethal force was necessary to stop an active hostage assault. Critics may question the immediacy and tactics, but the scene leaves little time for alternatives. George Applebee is pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect remains innocent unless proven guilty in court.