YOUNGSTOWN - A jury returned a split verdict Friday morning in the case of a Boardman man shot by a township police officer during a confrontation more than three years ago.

Damian Cessna, 27, was found guilty of charges of obstructing justice and aggravated menacing. Jurors could not reach a unanimous decision on one count of felonious assault.

The charges stem from a police investigation that began in July 2021 when an officer was sent to check out a report that a man with a baseball bat was riding a bike on South Avenue near Matthews Road just before 1 a.m.

Police said when they confronted Cessna, he threatened an officer with a knife, refusing to obey orders to drop the weapon.

As the conflict escalated, shots were fired and Cessna was wounded. Police from surrounding departments were called to the scene, blocking off South Avenue near Matthews Road.