CLEVELAND — An investigation is underway after Cleveland Police fatally shot a man Tuesday morning.
Relatives at the scene tell WKYC’s Tom Beres that the man is Kendrick Brown, 35, who grew up in the neighborhood.
Relatives said Brown was emotionally upset after the recent death of his mother and that he “…was a good guy that everybody liked…”
Tuesday afternoon, police released an official statement:
The preliminary investigation reveals that officers were dispatched to respond to the 3400 block of East 140th Street for a male who was shooting at another male. A Cleveland Police sergeant was the first to arrive and encountered a suspect who did point a handgun at the sergeant.
The sergeant, still in his zone car, ordered the suspect to drop the weapon, which he did not. At this time, the sergeant fired three times, hitting the suspect. The sergeant was not injured.
The suspect was Taken to MetroHealth Medical Center by EMS where he was pronounced dead.
The Cleveland Division of Police Use of Deadly Force Investigation Team responded to the scene for investigation as they do in all police officer-involved shootings. A .22 revolver handgun was recovered on the suspect at the scene…the sergeant will be placed on administrative leave. As in every case involving a police officer-involved shooting, the City of Cleveland Prosecutor’s Office will review all facts of the case.
At a morning press conference, Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams says it started around 9:15 a.m. when officers responded to reports of a man pointing a gun at another man.
As officers arrived in the area, they spotted a man with a gun in the 3400 block of E. 140th Street.
Chief Williams says the man raised the weapon in the direction of police. Moments later, the suspect approached an officer who was sitting in a cruiser.
FOP President Capt. Brian Betley said the officer is a 33-year veteran, a supervisor who is quick to the scene of trouble and respected by fellow officers.
Betley believes the shooting is clearly justified.
Just before noon, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner arrived on East 140th Street. Police Community Relations and the Peacekeepers Alliance have been canvassing the neighborhood in an effort to keep things calm.