Canton police were involved in a shooting at a men's shelter Tuesday evening.
The shooting happened around 6 p.m. in the dining room at the Refuge of Hope Ministries, the only men's homeless shelter in Stark County, on 3rd Street NE.
According to police, a man walked into the establishment with a baseball bat and swung it twice, attempting to hit the officer.
The veteran officer fired two shots, hitting the man in the abdomen area.
The man — later identified as 47-year-old Kevin Jones — was transported to Aultman Hospital in critical condition.
Joann Carpenter, the Director of Development for Refuge of Hope, said Jones stayed at the shelter for a brief time last year without causing any trouble.
"I trust officer. I trust our officer and the decisions he made last night," Jones said.
The officer who fired the shots is on paid administrative leave until next week.
Police expect to file assault charges against Jones. According to police, Jones has a criminal background that includes convictions for felonious assault, theft and menacing.
The shooting will be investigated by a grand jury but Captain Dave Davis believed the officer's actions were justified because "he faced a serious risk of physical harm."
"Our presence at the Refuge of Hope is a good thing for the community and we believe the residents feel safe when the officers are there," said Davis.
Anyone with any information about this crime is asked to contact the Canton Police Detective Bureau at 330-489-3144.
