AKRON, Ohio — A restaurant disturbance in Springfield Township led to a pursuit that ended in gunfire in Akron. Saturday night, several agencies in Summit County were involved in a chaotic series of events involving a semi-truck.
Springfield Township officers were called to IHOP on South Arlington for reports of a man creating a scene inside the restaurant.
When officers got there, the suspect left the restaurant, got into a semi-truck, and pulled onto South Arlington Road before turning into the nearby Walmart parking lot.
Police say the driver moved the truck to the back of the property and attempted to head back toward South Arlington Road.
Officers positioned a marked cruiser in front of the semi-truck in an effort to prevent it from leaving. The driver initially stopped but refused repeated commands to exit the vehicle. Officers tried to remove him, even jumping onto the semi.
During that encounter, one officer was able to safely jump off the moving truck. A second officer was thrown from the semi and injured. That officer was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. Police say the officer’s condition is still being evaluated.
Eventually, the semi was able to get away, heading into Akron.
AKRON PICKS UP THE CHASE
According to the Akron Police Department, officers responded to the 1700 block of East Market Street to assist Springfield Township after receiving calls that the semi-truck had gotten away from officers.
Akron officers found the semi-truck in a parking lot on East Market Street, where the driver hit multiple police cruisers before heading westbound on East Market.
The department said that as the semi-truck neared Innovation Way, it started hitting cars on the road and another police cruiser.
Moments later, two Akron Police officers took out their weapons and shot the driver at least once, police said. The Summit County Sheriff's Office said one of its deputies also fired their weapon.
The driver was taken to a local hospital with what police believe to be non-life-threatening injuries.
The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave. Police say one officer has six years of police service, and the other has three years.
After BCI's investigation, the case will be submitted to the Ohio Attorney General's Office for review, then sent to the Summit County Grand Jury for evaluation.
The Office of Professional Standards and Accountability will conduct a separate internal investigation, APD said.
News 5 crews were in downtown Akron, where a large police presence was visible.
According to BCI, force investigation and crime scene units are responding to the area.
Viewers sent in videos of the area where multiple police cruisers, along with an EMS vehicle, could be seen:
Sunday afternoon, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik issued the following statement regarding the shooting:
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of the law enforcement officers who responded to last night's incident involving a semi-truck, including our Akron Police Department officers, the Summit County Sheriff's Office, and Springfield police. My thoughts are with one of our Akron officers who sustained a minor injury at the scene, and with the Springfield officer who was injured in the initial encounter. I am grateful that no officers or members of the public were more seriously harmed.
This incident reflects the very challenging nature of police work and the reality that officers must be prepared to respond to significant dangers. I'm thankful for the dedication of our Akron Police Department officers, who serve our city each and every day.”
