BREAKING: Shocking Video Emerges in Butler Incident as Silence from Officials Fuels Corruption Concerns
BUTLER, OHIO — A newly surfaced video released by Mansfield resident Mansfield Edwards has ignited a firestorm of questions surrounding a July 11 incident in which a man was struck by a vehicle during a police response in the Village of Butler. The video, now circulating widely on social media, appears to show the moment the suspect was run over—an incident reportedly involving Butler Mayor Wesley Dingus, though officials continue to withhold key information.
The Bellville Police Department, which has taken over the investigation due to potential conflicts of interest, confirmed officers responded to an assistance call from the Butler Police Department around 7:05 p.m. that evening. The man struck had an outstanding warrant from the Ohio Adult Parole Authority and was reportedly fleeing at the time. Police said he was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, others claim the injuries are far worse.
What remains unconfirmed—but has become the focus of widespread speculation—is the identity of the driver. Multiple eyewitness accounts and online posts have alleged that Mayor Wesley Dingus was operating the vehicle that struck the suspect. Yet, nearly a week later, neither Dingus nor any official from the Village of Butler has issued a statement, and the Bellville Police Department has refused to confirm or deny the mayor’s involvement.
“No further information is available at this time,” Bellville Police Chief Jon Fletcher stated in a brief press release. “The matter is under investigation, and all findings will be forwarded to the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office.”
Notably absent from the release: any mention of the driver, the nature of the contact with the suspect, or whether force was authorized or necessary.
The growing silence from both municipalities is drawing criticism and sparking concern. “If this was anyone else—an average citizen—names would already be public, and answers would have been given,” one Butler resident said. “The longer this goes on, the more it looks like a cover-up.”
The Village of Butler’s solicitor, John D. Studenmund, has also declined comment, being it is his JOB to speak for the city, or release even the basic Police Report!
The lack of transparency, especially with a video now publicly available, has raised serious questions about accountability and the potential misuse of power by an elected official. Calls for an independent investigation are growing, with some residents demanding that the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) step in.
Meanwhile, the man who was struck remains unnamed, and the nature of his injuries remains unclear.
As the official silence continues, one thing is certain: the public is watching—and waiting.
