CLEVELAND — An investigation is underway after a police officer-involved shooting on Cleveland’s west side Tuesday morning.
The shooting happened at about 4 a.m. Emergency dispatchers say a man was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center with gun shot wounds. As of Tuesday afternoon, he is listed in stable condition.
WKYC spoke with Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association President Steve Loomis and he identified the two officers as Chris Ortiz and John Kazmier. Ortiz has been on the force since 2009 and Kazmier since 2000.
Officer-involved shooting update on Cleveland’s west side WKYC
Loomis also identified the suspect as Justin Damato, 28. Police say that Damato got out of prison June 30 after serving more than six years for aggravated robbery.
Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said a police officer tried to pull over a black SUV that had been driving erratically with its headlights off. The vehicle had been reported stolen earlier that night in a reported aggravated robbery.
The driver got out of the vehicle and started running away from officers on Puritas Avenue. Police say that’s when the man showed a handgun and police fired multiple shots.
No officer was injured. Damato was struck in the abdomen and the hip. The officers rendered first aid to the victim until paramedics arrived.
Cleveland police closed Puritas Avenue in both directions from West 150th to West 143th streets as they investigated.