LORAIN, Ohio — Lorain Police Chief Jim McCann said an officer shot a man early Monday morning on the city's north side.
According to police, officers were called to a home along West 17th Street and Ashland Avenue just after midnight for a man suspected of breaking into a car.
Juan De Leon told News 5 that his 19-year-old daughter saw motion detected on the family's security camera.
“She went to our room crying and was like, ‘There’s somebody in my car, inside my car,’" De Leon recalled.
The 911 caller told police she thought the man had a gun but wasn't sure.
When officers arrived, they found the man in the driveway with a gun.
Police said he took off running between several houses and chased him on foot.
An officer then fired several shots at the man.
“The next thing I know, I heard two shots. At first I didn’t know who or where it could come from,” said neighbor Alexander Jackson.
He told News 5 the shooting happened in his family's yard, and it wasn't immediately clear what happened.
“Has anyone been shot? Has anyone been hurt?” Jackson recalled wondering.
Officers on scene rendered first aid. EMS then took the man to Mercy Health Hospital in Lorain with multiple gunshot wounds. He's expected to recover from his injuries.
Police said the man will face multiple charges, including aggravated robbery.
“When I woke up this morning, I found out it was my cousin,” said another neighbor named Rachel, who declined to give her last name or show her face on camera.
The woman told News 5 that her cousin has been going down a dangerous path in recent years. She hopes the police shooting will help redirect his life.
“He has a daughter he needs to think about. Hopefully this is a wake-up call for him because he’s going to end up dead. Somebody’s going to end up hurting him really bad,” she said.
The officer was not injured and will be placed on paid administrative leave, per standard protocol.
Elyria police will now take over the investigation.
Neighbors said they're hopeful the neighborhood will return to its relative quiet.
“We never knew it could happen and thank God nothing got worse,” said De Leon.
Police said the man involved could face more charges, and additional people may be charged as the investigation continues.
