The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Dash-cam footage released
Shows officers’ struggle, bystanders’ battle at dealership
Nearly six months after a gunman shot two Willoughby Hills police officers at a car dealership there, police dash-cam video of the incident has been released.
In the roughly two-minute video made available to media outlets March 19 by the Willoughby Hills Police Department, the scuffle that ensued after selfadmitted shooter and Willoughby Hills resident Timmothy Scott Schmidt began firing shots inside Classic BMW, is seen playing out.
The incident happened shortly before 2 p.m. Sept. 28, when Willoughby Hills Police Chief Christopher Collins said officers were called to Classic BMW, 2571 SOM Center Road, by management for a “customer problem.”
“Upon making contact with
the guy, there was some conversation between the white male and the officers,” Collins said following the incident that day. “At some time during that contact, the suspect drew a handgun and shots were fired.”
Although the dash-cam video does not depict the initial contact Willoughby Hills police made with Schmidt, it depicts the fallout which ensued shortly after.
During the incident, two responding officers — Craig Anderson and Cory Planisek — each received gunshot wounds and, as such, were compromised in their ability to react to the situation, having been wounded. The video shows civilian Painesville resident Dana Walling coming to the officers’ aid.
Both Anderson and Planisek were honored by Lake County Blue Coats, Inc. with its annual Jorge Medina Distinguished Service Award during the organization’s annual dinner Feb. 7.
In his letter to the organization nominating Anderson and Planisek, Collins described the uncommon valor exhibited by the pair during the tense moments that played out at Classic BMW Sept. 28:
“At 1:59 p.m., Officers Anderson and Planisek were dispatched to Classic BMW for a male customer who was acting erratically within the service department. Upon arrival the officers made contact with a 30 year old male who had his car at the dealership for service. A records check disclosed the male had multiple warrants for his arrest,” Collins’ letter reads. “As the officers attempted to arrest him, he ran through the service bay towards the large overhead door to the parking lot. The officers chased him and Officer Planisek tackled him as he exited to the outer parking lot area with Officer Anderson by his side. As the male was being tackled, he pulled a handgun from his waistband and began firing at the officers striking both officers multiple times.”
Collins’ letter continues: “In spite of their serious injuries, both officers continued to engage the suspect.
Officer Planisek wrestled the male to the ground moving to control the suspect’s gun hand while Officer Anderson recovered and shot the suspect four times with his duty weapon.”
Putting the incident into perspective, the chief credited Anderson’s and Planisek’s actions that day for likely preventing what could have been a much more violent and potentially deadly incident.
“The critical, selfless actions of Officers Anderson and Planisek to continue to engage the suspect after both were shot several times and seriously wounded ensured the safety of the many dealership employees and customers,” he writes. “Without their heroic actions the potential threat to the employees and the public was significant as the suspect shot all the bullets from his gun and had another loaded pistol magazine in his pocket.”
But Anderson and Planisek weren’t the only ones honored for their efforts during the shots-fired incident Sept. 28.
Walling also was honored recently with an American Red Cross Hero Award.