PARMA HEIGHTS -- A Parma Heights police officer was shot late Wednesday afternoon.
According to Parma police spokesman Sgt. Dan Ciryak, the shooting took place on Stumph Road near Huffman Road just before 5:30 p.m.
A Parma police officer was doing routine traffic patrol when he randomly checked the license plate of a Chevrolet Impala. When the tag did not match the vehicle, the officer pulled over the car. Meanwhile, a Parma Heights police detective who happened to be nearby stopped to assist with the traffic stop.
According to Sgt. Ciryak, when the driver stepped out of the car, the Parma Heights detective noticed a handgun tucked inside the driver's waistband, along with two magazines of bullets. The detective alerted the Parma officer of the weapon, and a struggle with the suspect followed. Police said the driver shot the Parma Heights detective in the left leg and both officers returned fire.
"Pop, pop, pop, pop. Back and forth," said Ian MacKinnon, describing the gunfire as it unfolded in front of his apartment. "About 15 gunshots."
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Jonathan Legg, of Parma Heights, was taken to University Hospitals and pronounced dead.
Legg does not have a known criminal record and was not licensed to carry a firearm.
The Parma Heights detective who suffered the wound was transported to MetroHealth Medical Center. According to Parma Heights acting police chief Steve Scharschmidt, the officer was conscious and in good spirits.
On Thursday, Scharschmidt said the officer suffered a shattered femur and underwent surgery. He also said the officer has been with the Parma Heights force for four years, serving as a detective for one year.
The Parma police officer also suffered injuries as a result of a struggle with the suspect.
The state of Ohio's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has been requested to take the lead in the investigation of the case. Seven BCI agents were dispatched to the scene on Wednesday and began collecting evidence. There is no dash cam or body cam video available to investigators.
WKYC was there in the aftermath of the shooting and for Sgt. Ciryak's press conference on Facebook Live:
