SOLON, Ohio — Shots were fired by a Solon police officer at an armed suspect following the chase of a stolen vehicle on Thursday morning, and the department released body camera footage of the incident on Monday
Police officials tell 3News the incident began around 10:30 a.m. when officers attempted to pull over a Honda minivan that was allegedly taken during an aggravated robbery on April 4. A chase occurred after the vehicle took off traveling south on SOM Center Road, west on Arthur Road and north on Solon Boulevard.
Eventually, the car crashed into the rear of another vehicle on Solon Boulevard near Roxbury Elementary School. Following the wreck, authorities say the 16-year-old suspect got out of the Honda with a loaded handgun and that a Solon officer "fired more than once" toward the teen, who was not struck.
Eventually, boy surrendered and was arrested, with both he and the passenger of the vehicle that was struck suffering minor injuries. Roxbury Elementary School was placed into lockdown following the crash, but that was later lifted.
The bodycam video shows the officer repeatedly yelling at the suspect to "drop the gun" before firing at least eight shots of his own. The teen then ran into a grassy field and finally went to the ground as the officer pointed his weapon at him, and police eventually handcuffed him and looked him over for possible bullet wounds.
"We feel it is important to release this video to dispel any inaccurate rumors that may be circulating about it," the Solon Police Department said after releasing the footage. "Video is only one source of evidence. Although it paints a picture of the incident, it is not a complete investigation."
Officials also released photos of the suspect's handgun, which allegedly had one bullet in the chamber and 21 more in an extended capacity magazine. The Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.