The Denver Post

POLICE HAD GONE TO HOME THREE TIMES BEFORE SHOOTING

-

CLEVELAND» Police in Ohio had previously gone to the home where a man fatally shot two police officers for three domestic disputes but no arrests were ever made, incident reports from the Columbus suburb of Westervill­e show.

Westervill­e officers Eric Joering, 39, and Anthony Morelli, 54, were killed shortly after noon Saturday in this normally quiet suburb while responding to a 911 hang-up call.

The suspect, 30-year-old Quentin Smith, was shot and wounded by the officers and taken to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in critical condition Saturday, a Westervill­e city spokeswoma­n said. The hospital would not provide updates on his condition Sunday.

A series of 911 calls released by the city of Westervill­e provide some details about what happened Saturday at a complex of townhomes. Smith lived there with his wife, Candace, and a young daughter.

Westervill­e police have provided few details about what happened inside the townhome. Westervill­e Police Chief Joe Morbitzer said at a news conference Saturday that Joering, a 16-year veteran, and Morelli, a 30-year-veteran, were shot immediatel­y upon entering the residence. Columbus police are investigat­ing the shootings.

After the initial hang-up call at noon, a dispatcher called the number back and reached a woman who was crying and can be heard saying, “won’t let me in.” Officers are then sent to the home. At 12:13 p.m., after a dispatcher confirms contact has been made, a man’s voice can be yelling, “We have shots fired.” — The Associated Press ●●●

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States