TOLEDO, OH—A tense confrontation unfolded on June 19, when Toledo Police responded to reports of an armed man making homicidal threats in the area of 2100 W. Sylvania Ave. The incident escalated into an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and a responding officer.
At approximately 2:15 PM, Lucas County Dispatch received multiple calls about a shirtless man brandishing a gun and threatening violence as he walked toward the Toledo Police Northwest Substation. The first officer on the scene encountered the suspect running southbound between houses on the 2300 block of W. Sylvania. Despite attempts to deescalate the situation, the suspect fled, leading to a pursuit.
In a dramatic sequence, the suspect, who was holding a gun to his head and subsequently undressed completely, ignored verbal commands and continued fleeing while nude. The chase continued onto Charlestown Avenue and then onto Kershaw, where the suspect fired at the pursuing officer. The officer returned fire using his department-issued handgun.
The chase concluded on the 2400 block of Georgetown, where the suspect discarded his weapon and was apprehended without further incident. He was taken to a hospital as a precaution and was found to have an outstanding felony warrant for domestic violence. He will be charged with first-degree felony assault on a peace officer.
In line with protocol, the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave. The department will release the officer’s information along with body-worn and dash-cam footage soon. No injuries were reported in the incident.