The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Man dies in Marshal-involved shooting
U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force was serving warrant on Lorain man
A 34-year-old Lorain man died from injuries sustained in an task force officer-involved shooting mid-morning April 18, according to a news release from Lorain Police Department Lt. Jacob A. Morris.
Derrick Smith was pronounced dead on scene 911 W. 21st St. in Lorain, the release said.
At 8:05 a.m., law enforcement officers from the Lorain Police Department responded to a call for assistance from the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force at the address.
The task force was there to execute a federal arrest warrant on Smith, according to the release.
Task force officers attempted to arrest Smith in an upstairs bedroom of the house, at which time he attacked them with a wooden table leg, the release said.
Despite attempts by officers to subdue Smith, the situation escalated, necessitating the use of lethal force to “prevent further grave harm to the officers involved,” according to the release.
Two of the task force officers suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries and were transported to Mercy Health — Lorain Hospital for treatment, the release said.
Immediate medical attention from first responders was given to Smith at the scene, according to the release.
The Lorain Police Department was summoned to secure the area and initiate an investigation into the use of lethal force, according to the release.
The Lorain Police Department Criminal Investigations Bureau, in conjunction with members from the Elyria Police Department, Amherst Police Department and the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office coordinated efforts with the Lorain County Coroner’s Office to process the scene and conduct the investigation.
Law enforcement personnel
remained on scene until 12:30 p.m., the release said.
The investigation is ongoing.
U.S. Marshal Service policy prevents the release of names of employees involved in such investigations until they have been completed, the release said.