Photo: Cleveland Division of Police
Cleveland, OH - On September 24, 2021 at approximately 1220am, members of the Cleveland Division of Police were involved in an officer involved shooting. Officers were called to assist members of Cleveland Emergency Medical Service at West 117th Street and Lorain Avenue due to a male beating their ambulance with a hatchet. Emergency Medical Service was on scene on a separate matter/assignment when they heard the unoccupied ambulance struck with something. EMS Members then observed a male with a hatchet in his hand coming toward them. The male then threw the hatchet at the ambulance, then picked it up and continued acting irrationally, striking the ground with the hatchet and nearby wires.
On arrival officers attempted to have the male drop the hatchet. The male began to walk away. Officers followed the male from West 117th Street and Lorain Avenue to W. 106 and South Frontage all while attempting to gain compliance and while utilizing de-escalating techniques with the male. The male did not respond to officers’ attempts to de-escalate the situation.
Once on the bridge at West 106th Street near South Frontage, officers utilized means of less lethal force to stop the male: the Sergeant deployed the beanbag shotgun, striking the male, which was ineffective in stopping the male. Two officers deployed tasers, striking the male, which was also ineffective in stopping the male. The male lunged towards the Sergeant with the hatchet and shots were fired by one officer. Officers, along with Cleveland EMS were there to render immediate first aid. The Male was transported to MetroHealth Medical Center where he remains confined.
This matter remains under investigation.
(Copyright, iHeartMedia, 2021)
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