NORTH CANTON, Ohio — 3News has learned the identities of both the suspect who was killed in a Stark County standoff Monday as well as the police officer who was shot.
The North Canton Police Department announced that the wounded officer was one of theirs, nine-year veteran Patrick Lewis. In addition to his work with North Canton police, Lewis is also a "master operator" on the Canton Regional SWAT Team serving as a sniper. He is also a precision rifle instructor for the team.
According to a release from North Canton police, "Lewis was struck in the right arm and was provided emergency trauma care at the scene before being transported to a local hospital where he is expected to make a full recovery."
North Canton Police Chief Frank Kemp Jr. told our Kaitor Kay that he spoke to Lewis, who was still in the hospital, on Tuesday.
"Seems to be in good spirits given the conditions that he suffered yesterday afternoon," Kemp said.
Chief Kemp said Lewis was part of the SWAT team that was backing up U.S. Marshals at a motel in the 6800 block of Sunset Strip Avenue Northwest in Jackson Township during an arrest attempt. The suspect, identified as 68-year-old James Vanest, was wanted for a federal weapons violation in West Virginia.
Officials say Vanest fired multiple rounds from inside a motel room, with one of those gunshots striking Lewis in the arm.
Vanest was ultimately shot by officers and was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the meantime, Kemp is thankful Lewis will make a full recovery.
"He is a very light-hearted gentleman," Kemp said. "A lot of it was kind of little jokes, but the pain is there. The pain is real, as far as with the arm and where they do the surgery on the arm. He's got a road for recovery, but he's in good spirits."
Looking into Vanest's background, 3News found he has an extensive criminal history in multiple states.
He was arrested in 1995 on charges of armed bank robbery, use of a firearm to commit a felony, and possession of firearm by felon. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a federal judge in the Northern District of Ohio.
The Stark County Coroner's Office reports they are struggling to identify a next of kin for Vanest. They ask that anyone who might know him to please contact them.