EUCLID, Ohio — The Euclid Police Department released footage of their response to last week’s Labor Day shooting on Miller Avenue during an attempted home invasion.
Police say 24-year-old Dajah Wilder, and her boyfriend, Jediah Walker, were shot multiple times after breaking into the residence of Isiah Claytor, the father of Wilder’s child. Claytor shot Wilder and Walker multiple times.
The incident appears to be an act of self-defense, according to Euclid police.
“They (Wilder and Walker) were mad at this guy,” says Euclid Patrol Captain Jeff Cutwright. “I think they busted the door in and were going to threaten him at gunpoint and he fired in self-defense, it appears that that's what it looks like.”
According to police reports, Claytor called officers after hearing two people banging on his door. Once Wilder and Walker got through two doors to enter the residence, Claytor opened fire. The two fled the scene in a gray dodge challenger after being shot.
Police say the couple dropped a gun in the street before fleeing. Officers recovered that gun, saying it was damaged in the shooting.
Responding officers found Wilder and Walker at the intersection of E. 222nd St and Miller Avenue before 11 p.m.
Wilder had been shot six times, Walker three.
Officers administered aid before EMS transported both suspects to University Hospitals for further treatment.
“I think the actions of these officers saved the lives of these suspects,” Captain Cutwright says. “Even though they just committed a crime, and they were armed when they did it, it was important to our agency and our officers that we preserve life first before we start investigating the crime.”
Claytor, who was not injured in the incident, was arrested, and held at the Cuyahoga County Jail. He was released within 48 hours, according to police.
Captain Cutwright says the dispute appears to be over a custody issue between Wilder and Claytor.
So far, no charges have been filed but Euclid Police Detectives are still investigating the incident.