Columbus Police Official Leaves Gun in Restroom

First Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts's firearm was found unattended in a public restroom and later recovered by state troopers.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Columbus Police Official Leaves Gun in Restroom

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Columbus Division of Police 1st Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts left her gun unattended in a public restroom at the Charles D. Shipley building on West Broad Street on Tuesday. The firearm was recovered by Ohio State Highway Patrol around 1 p.m. and Potts later returned to pick it up.

Why it matters

The incident involves a senior department official and raises questions about firearm handling standards within the Columbus Division of Police. Potts was referred to the Columbus Department of the Inspector General for review.

The gun was recovered by Ohio State Highway Patrol around 1 p.m. Tuesday and belongs to Potts, who was referred to the Columbus Department of the Inspector General. CPD has not said whether any discipline is pending.

The players

LaShanna Potts

LaShanna Potts is the 1st Assistant Chief of the Columbus Division of Police, a senior command role, and previously served with Chief Elaine Bryant in the Detroit Police Department.

Elaine Bryant

Elaine Bryant is the Columbus Chief of Police who hired Potts in 2021 after previously serving with her in the Detroit Police Department.

The details

The gun was found in the public access first floor women's restroom of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion's Charles D. Shipley building on West Broad Street. The Ohio Department of Public Safety did not place the building on lockdown because the gun's owner was located.

Tuesday, around 1 p.m.: Ohio State Highway Patrol recovers the gun from the restroom.
2021: Chief Elaine Bryant hires Potts after becoming police chief.

Legal Context

Referral of senior officers to the Columbus Department of the Inspector General places internal conduct matters under civilian oversight rather than solely within the department. Cases of this type are typically reviewed under that office's existing accountability process.

Residents who use public buildings on West Broad Street may note that the gun was found unattended in a public restroom and recovered by state troopers. The referral to the Inspector General means any findings on conduct will be handled through that civilian oversight office.

The takeaway

Firearm storage rules apply to officers of every rank, and internal referrals like this one show how Columbus handles command-level lapses. Readers interested in police accountability can follow the Inspector General's process as the case moves forward.