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Kent burglary suspect facing 3 felonies for assaulting 2 police officers, breaking into home

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Posted at 11:16 AM, Jan 19, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-19 11:16:58-05

KENT, Ohio — A Cleveland Heights man has been charged for allegedly shooting two police officers at a residence in Kent during a burglary on Saturday.

The suspect, Dante Darnell Dixon, 40, is charged with two counts of felonious assault, both first-degree felonies and aggravated burglary, a second-degree felony, according to court records.

The incident happened Saturday morning in the 1500 block of East Summit Street near Loop Road, police said.

Kent police officers Lenny Kunka and Kyle Auckland responded to the location after authorities received a 911 call from a female regarding a burglary in progress. It was later discovered the female caller was a 14-year-old babysitter who was home with a 1-year-old child.

According to Kent police, the two officers were “physically engaged” by Dixon inside the home as soon as they arrived. Dixon was armed with a firearm.

Multiple shots were fired during the struggle. Kunka was shot in the hand and Auckland was shot in the chest and Dixon was shot in the abdomen, police said. Dixon was taken to a nearby hospital and underwent surgery. After being released, he was transported to the Portage County Jail.

Kunka, who was shot in the hand, was released from the hospital Saturday. Auckland was saved by his bullet-resistant vest. He was also released from the hospital Saturday.

Dixon has an arraignment scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

RELATED: 14-year-old babysitting toddler during attempted burglary that ended with 2 Kent officers shot

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