During a Friday afternoon press conference, Cleveland Police released body camera footage of a shooting and pursuit that left five officers injured.
The suspect, 24-year-old Brian Branch, has been indicted on six felonious assault charges, one for each officer and one for the original shooting victim, police said.
The investigation into what happened and if police policy was followed is ongoing.
You can watch the full press conference in the player below:
What happened?
Five Cleveland Police officers are recovering after a shooting led to a pursuit Saturday afternoon, according to the Cleveland Division of Police.
Just after 2 p.m., police responded to the 5200 block of Fleet Avenue after a 33-year-old man was shot multiple times, police said.
Surveillance video provided to News 5 from Open Pantry shows the victim walking into the business, then collapsing to the floor shortly after.
"A guy was walking right here, and he dropped on the floor by the door. And he said, 'George, I've been shot. I've been shot in my back and my arm outside.' He came with his friend, and I called 911 for him to help him," Open Pantry owner, George Abounader said.
Abounader said the 33-year-old, who was shot, is a regular customer of Open Pantry.
"He comes over here all the time. He's a good kid. He's a regular customer," he said. "It's usually quiet right here. I mean, nothing much going on."
More surveillance video shows EMS arriving at Open Pantry shortly after the man entered the business. The man was transported to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition.
As officers were investigating the shooting scene, they observed a car circling the area. They obtained information that suggested the car was being driven by a 24-year-old Branch, who police said was involved in the shooting that left the 33-year-old injured.
Things escalated when police said Branch opened fire near the scene. Police told us they believe Branch fired several shots at the officers before speeding away from the scene.
One officer was injured by what police believe to be shrapnel-related bullet impacts that struck the vehicle, Cleveland Police said.
Shortly after, with the Real Time Crime Center's assistance, officers found the 24-year-old's car near Track Road and Martin Avenue, CPD said.
The vehicle raced away, and police said Branch fired at officers again, hitting the windshield of a police cruiser. A second officer sustained injuries consistent with a graze wound from a bullet or shrapnel.
Police said one officer shot back at Branch through the windshield in response to the initial gunfire. When asked if that is part of police policy, Chief Annie Todd told us she's reserving judgment right now.
"When you have who is turned…and facing you and you are right in the line of fire, I’m not going to judge that officer’s actions and say they’re not appropriate, but that will be part of the investigations," said Todd.
Officers continued the pursuit to arrest Branch, which ended after the suspect crashed into a church building on Chagrin Boulevard, police said.
Police said Branch tried to run away, but dash cam video showed the K9 officer's car then hit Branch before he was taken into custody, police said.
We asked about the chase and if it followed the department's policy. Chief Todd said she's looking at the totality of what happened when Branch shot at police.
"He’s trying to kill our officers and that’s what I see it as," said Todd. "And our officers are heroic when they take these actions and they continue to pursue this violent felon."
Both officers who were injured as a result of gunfire were taken to the hospital. One is in stable condition, and the other was treated and released.
According to police, during the pursuit, three officers were involved in separate crashes.
One cruiser struck a tree, and another crashed near East 75th Street and Kinsman Road. Two officers were transported to the hospital and are in stable condition.
The officer involved in the crash near East 75th Street self-transported to the hospital for evaluation after refusing EMS.
The 24-year-old man was taken to the hospital for evaluation and is expected to be released and transported to the Cuyahoga County Jail. Charges are still pending, police said.
The Cleveland Police Force Investigation Team and the Cleveland Police Accident Investigation Unit will investigate the incident.
