More than 90 minutes of radio recordings from Thursday’s police pursuit, shed new light on what led up to the deadly shooting of 2 suspects.
The driver, Timothy Russell, and his passenger, Malissa Williams, were killed when police fired 137 shots following a high speed chase.
“Use caution. Occupants are armed,” says a dispatcher.
From the start of the chase that began in downtown Cleveland, and travelled to the westside and ended in East Cleveland — officers believed the two suspects had a gun.
“He’s pointing a gun. He’s pointing a gun out the back window. Heads up! Heads up!” said an officer in the recordings.
“Passenger’s turning back around and pointing a firearm,” said another.
But 16 minutes into the chase, there is a change in the suspects’ description.
“He does not have a gun. He has black gloves on. He does not have a gun in his hand,” said an unidentified officer.
“There’s a pop can in his hand. There’s a red pop can in his hand,” said another.
However, other officers made conflicting observations:
“That car that went by us, fired off a round, and he is now behind them.”
“Passenger’s pointing a gun out the back window of the vehicle! Passenger’s pointing a gun out the back of the vehicle!”
The chase ended outside Heritage Middle School in East Cleveland, where 13 officers opened fire.
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article courtesy of Wkyc.com
