Lorain, Ohio – The FOX 8 I-Team has learned of new developments in the case of three Lorain police officers who were recently shot, one of whom died.
The I-Team has learned about the two investigations and the officers who survived. We can expect to hear answers to the many questions surrounding this case soon.
We’ve learned more about the officers who survived. Both have begun the long road to recovery.
One month ago, police said a man shot and killed Lorain officer Phillip Wagner and wounded officers Brent Payne and Peter Gale.
Police killed the suspect, and since then, Elyria police have been searching for clues to explain what happened.
Investigators discovered that the gunman had brought a cache of weapons and explosives waiting for officers.
Elyria police expect to provide an update on their findings within the next few weeks.
We last saw Lorain officers Payne and Gale approaching the casket and saying their final goodbyes to Officer Wagner.
We spoke with Lorain police detective and union president Matt Hartman over the phone to learn about the surviving officers’ current situation.
“They are doing better. “I spoke with Pete Gale and Brent Payne,” Hartman explained. “Pete had some surgical procedures done on his hand. Now he’s going to start therapy. Brent has a major surgery coming up. It’s going to be a big deal for him. “It will restart his recovery process.”
The FOP informed us that police are also in close contact with the family of fallen officer Wagner. Weeks after the shooting, police are letting his loved ones know they are not forgotten.
The I-Team discovered that the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department is also still investigating what happened following the shootings. Harassing phone calls arrived at 911, and social media comments suggested that more officers were in danger.
The people who made the calls and what was posted online could face charges.
“I actually was standing there when one of the calls came in and I heard it and it’s terrible,” Hartman told me.
Regarding the threats and harassing phone calls, we have learned that investigators have forwarded at least one case to prosecutors for consideration of charges.
