Three police officers were shot in Lorain in what police say was an ambush.
Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley confirmed that two officers were life-flighted to MetroHealth in serious condition after being shot multiple times. A third officer was taken to Mercy Health with non-life-threatening injuries after receiving a gunshot wound to the hand.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Lorain Police Deputy Chief Michael Failing stated that two officers, Phillip Wagner and Peter Gale, had bought lunch before parking their patrol vehicles at the dead end of Missouri Avenue to eat together when the shooting occurred.
The officers parked around 1:05 p.m., and the gunman, who was also parked nearby, opened fire on them with what Elyria Police Chief Jeff Welsh described as a high-powered rifle.
Watch the 6 p.m. press conference:
Officials hold a news conference following the shooting of three Lorain officers.
“Officers were parked side by side, having lunch in their respective patrol vehicles,” Failing stated at the press conference. “The suspect parked at the dead end of Missouri Avenue, carrying an arsenal of weapons. And he was lying in wait, firing multiple rounds at both officers, who were sitting in their vehicles.”
When the two officers called for backup, Failing stated that officer Brent Payne arrived on the scene and was shot multiple times while inside his vehicle.
Welsh stated at a press conference earlier Wednesday that officers fired back. Failing confirmed that the 28-year-old suspect was shot and killed during the shooting.
Watch the full press conference:
Three Lorain officers were shot, prompting officials to hold a news conference. Bradley said the 28-year-old suspect, whose identity has not been revealed, is believed to be from Lorain. He claimed there is no current threat to the community.
“Tragic day in the City of Lorain, but we’re a strong city,” Bradley told the audience.
Failing stated that after additional law enforcement officers arrived on the scene, they loaded the wounded officers into patrol vehicles and provided wound care before transporting them. As of 6 p.m., all three officers were still receiving treatment for their injuries.
“According to law enforcement, it was an ambush situation. “This is a difficult day for the Lorain Police Department,” Welsh stated during the press conference.
Law enforcement agencies searched the Black River and the woodline in the area for any additional suspects:
RAW: Lorain Police Search Black River After Three Officers Shot Welsh stated that police now believe the 28-year-old man acted alone. Several News 5 crews are on the scene.
AirTracker 5 captured rifles near a car where police were investigating:
Chopper footage of the Lorain suspect vehicle. Law enforcement was also stationed near Colorado Avenue.
According to Failing, this was the first major shooting in Lorain in 70 years that involved an officer being hit.
Local woman Charity Johnson said the location is an area where police sometimes catch speeders:
Locals react to the shooting of Lorain police.
Bri Baugman, who lives nearby, said the location is also used as a hangout spot on occasion.
“It’s literally a dead-end circle where people hang out, drive their cars, eat doughnuts, and smoke. “If that’s what they do, whatever they do,” Baughman stated. “There’s nothing really down there, and then everything else is just woods.”
Baughman claimed she was at home when she learned about the shootings.
“My first thought was, ‘I need to get down there,'” Baughman explained.
She stated that police are typically stationed near where the shootings occurred, and that there have been previous incidents in the area, but not to the extent of three officers being shot.
“Usually there’s a cop down there at night,” Baughman said. “I work nights. So, when I get home early in the morning, they are usually pulling out and leaving. “The next one will arrive, and there is usually a cop down there.”
Around 6:15 p.m., the sheriff issued a public notice informing Lorain residents that the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad was conducting a controlled detonation in the area with no threat to the public.
Horizon Education Centers, located on Colorado Avenue, announced that it was on lockdown due to police activity in the area. The lockdown has been lifted.
The Cleveland and Westlake police departments helped to shut down the highway, which has since been reopened.
The Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office and the neighboring Elyria Police Department are conducting the investigation.
At the 6 p.m. press conference, Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio President Jay McDonald addressed the issue of violence against police officers.
“Police, judges, prosecutors, legislators, and the general public all need to stand together arm in arm to condemn the violence, the senseless and cowardly violence like we saw today,” McDonald told the crowd. “The only way this will stop is if we are united.”
More from others, including the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President
“These three officers were attacked for doing their job,” said Old Brooklyn resident John Keaney.
On Wednesday, dozens of Lorain Police patrol cars parked outside Cleveland’s MetroHealth Emergency Center.
Keaney also stood outside the entrance, holding an American flag and one for ‘Back the Blue.’
“I’m willing here to show my support for people that are willing to put their lives on the line for myself and my family,” Keaney told reporters. “They have a target on their back all the time and people take their services for granted.”
Keaney and Jay McDonald, President of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, are urging others to follow suit after Keaney stated that 166 officers have been shot across the country between January and June, in addition to the three officers shot in Lorain on Wednesday afternoon.
“The only way this will stop is if we’re united and standing with law enforcement,” McDonald told the crowd.
Although Failing stated that the horrible situation is taking a toll on the entire department, he commends those responding officers, such as Officer Payne, who was shot in the hand while putting his life on the line to assist Officers Wagner and Gail.
“The people standing behind me responded to this call in large numbers. I want to thank them for their bravery. “What a remarkable response to this tragedy,” said Failing.
Failing requests that the community keep the Lorain Police Department in their prayers as the Elyria Police continue their investigation.
City offices closed
The City of Lorain announced that its offices will be closed on Thursday due to the events of Wednesday afternoon.
“In light of today’s tragic event and attack on our Lorain Police Department, all City offices will be closed tomorrow (7/24) and Friday (7/25) to support our men and women in blue. “Please pray for our officers!” Rey Carrion, Director of Safety Services, said in a statement.
