PAINESVILLE, Ohio — Alexander Sinclair, an off-duty member of the Cleveland Division of Police, appeared in court on Friday morning following a shooting incident at Riverview Elementary School in Painesville.
During the arraignment hearing at Painesville Municipal Court, he was given no bond. In addition, he will have a preliminary hearing on Monday, Nov. 4, at 8 a.m.
The incident, which took place on Thursday morning, involved a gunshot fired in the school’s parking lot during what authorities describe as a domestic dispute that began off-campus.
The victim, who shares a child with Sinclair, claims that he followed her to the elementary school when she was dropping off her child. She noted that they had gotten into an argument earlier in the day.
The court granted the victim a temporary protection order for herself and her children. It was granted after she testified to the judge about what happened the previous day. In addition, the court also ordered a criminal stalking order.
Sinclair entered a not-guilty plea, but made the following statement during the hearing:
"I had a mental break in this situation, and I understand what the court has to do ... but I had an episode, and I have been working to get help before this incident. I understand if the court says no bond, but I am not going anywhere. I would like the opportunity just to breathe some fresh air and that kind of stuff ... I would just like the opportunity, sir."
CASE DETAILS
According to Robert Izzo, the chief deputy for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Sinclair’s vehicle collided with the victim's car before he allegedly exited his vehicle and approached the passenger side of the other car. Reports indicate that he then fired a shot through the vehicle’s windshield.
Izzo says Sinclair, the victims in the other vehicle, and the school resource officer all sustained minor injuries.
The school’s resource officer quickly intervened and took Sinclair into custody. As a result of this incident, the school was placed on lockdown but was later able to resume normal operations.
Sinclair has been charged with the following:
- Felonious assault
- 2 counts of kidnapping
- Discharge of a firearm on or near a prohibited premise
Riverside Local Schools in Painesville Township posted the following release about the incident on Thursday afternoon:
"At about 9:10 a.m., Riverview Elementary was placed on lockdown due to a domestic issue that began off-site and then carried into the parking lot of Riverview Elementary. During this dispute, a shot was fired near the vehicles involved in the parking lot, away from the school toward Madison Avenue. The shot was not fired in the direction of the school. As a result, no major injuries were reported.
"Our School Safety Officer, who is a deputy with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, other sheriff’s deputies and surrounding area police and fire departments promptly responded to the scene and a person of interest was immediately detained by our school safety officer.
"We want to confirm that there was no threat made toward staff or students at any time. All safety protocols were implemented and followed. Local law enforcement agencies remained on scene throughout the morning to assist with classroom and building safety checks, directing traffic and helping student check-out. In addition, grief counselors from Signature Health were called to the school and were available for any students or staff who wanted to speak with someone. Madison Avenue was re-opened around noon.
"No other schools in the District were placed on lockdown due to this being an isolated incident and the person of interest being detained immediately.
"The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate the incident and will provide further updates as their investigation continues.
"We want to express our deepest gratitude to our School Safety Officer Deputy Ward, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office as well as all of the surrounding area police and fire departments and Signature Health for their prompt and rapid response to this matter. We also want to thank the entire Riverview Elementary staff for their swift response and professional handling of the situation and the care and compassion they showed for their students."