LORAIN, OH — A gunman armed with an “arsenal of weapons” ambushed three Lorain police officers on Wednesday afternoon, opening fire on two officers as they sat in their patrol vehicles during a lunch break.
A third officer, who responded to assist, was also shot. The gunman, a 28-year-old man, was later found dead at the scene.
Lorain Acting Police Chief Michael Failing confirmed during a Wednesday evening press conference that the officers involved were identified as Officers Brent Payne, Gayle, and Phillip Wagner.
Officers Brent Payne and Phillip Wagner sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were airlifted to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, a Level I Trauma Center.
Officer Gayle was shot in the hand and received treatment at Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital.
Chief Failing said the officers were ambushed while parked in the Colorado Avenue Industrial Park area when the gunman, described as “laying in wait,” opened fire using a high-powered rifle.
Responding officers quickly transported their injured colleagues in police vehicles to receive immediate medical attention.
Elyria Police Chief James Welsh, whose department is leading the investigation, confirmed that the officers returned fire.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, though it remains unclear whether he was killed by police gunfire or died by suicide.
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