AKRON, Ohio — An Akron man who opened fire on police officers in Norton has been sentenced to 19 years in prison.
David Michael Havrilek, 43, was sentenced on Thursday by Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Joy Oldfield. Before Oldfield read her sentencing decision, Havrilek gave a statement to the court.
Havrilek pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and weapon-related charges.
He was accused of shooting at three Norton officers and a Barberton patrolman Oct. 3, 2017. The officers were responding to a call about a man carrying an assault rifle at a Barber Road storage facility.
The manager of the storage facility had called 911 after seeing a man carrying an assault rifle and a machete. After arriving, officers ordered Havrilek to lower his weapons and surrender. After a few moments, he opened fire. Police returned fire and wounded Havrilek in the legs and hand. He also had multiple minor wounds from being hit by bullet fragments. Havrilek was treated for his injuries before being placed in the Summit County Jail.
No officers were injured in the shooting.
“The heroic acts of officers with the Norton and Barberton Police Departments saved several lives, including a two-year-old girl who was at the storage facility with her father. Mr. Havrilek had an arsenal at his disposal, including an assault rifle with hundreds of rounds of ammunition nearby. Thankfully, this ended with no one severely injured or killed,” said Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh after the sentencing.
Havrilek originally pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Police say Havrilek has a criminal history, including felonious assault and domestic violence.
Summit County prosecutors in 2018 found the shooting by police justified.