LORAIN, Ohio — Just after midnight on Oct. 7, a Lorain police officer shot and injured 26-year-old Dustin Terry, who allegedly broke into a vehicle and then attempted to flee from police. Today, Lorain police released body-cam footage and explained the officers' actions.
Watch the full press conference:
Around 12:05 a.m., police responded to a call about a vehicle break-in on West 17th Street. The caller believed the individual had a gun, police said.
Lorain police officer Isaiah Taylor was the first to arrive on scene and was checking the caller's vehicle. Another officer then arrived and spoke to a woman who was later found to be an accomplice to Terry, Lorain police chief Jim McCann said on Thursday.
The woman attempted to mislead officers by telling them she saw someone breaking into cars a few houses down, McCann said.
Officers noticed the caller's trunk was open, and then they noticed Terry walking out from behind the house, McCann said.
During Thursday's press conference, McCann shared numerous body camera videos from the incident showing what led up to and followed the shooting of Terry.
In the video, Terry can be seen walking down the driveway, which is when Taylor can be heard ordering him to put his hands up, or he will shock him with a Taser.
McCann said another officer spotted a handgun in Terry's hand and yelled for him to "drop the gun" and "get down on the ground," commands that were clear in the review of body-camera footage.
In the video, Terry did not comply with Taylor or the other officer, which is when Taylor deployed his Taser. It was not effective, and Terry ran with the gun still in his hand. Terry can be seen brandishing his gun and turning toward one of the officers, prompting Taylor to fire five shots at Terry.
First aid was administered to Terry, who suffered four gunshot wounds to the trunk of his body and his arm, according to Elyria police chief Bill Lanze. Terry was then transported to a nearby hospital.
Taylor was not injured and was placed on paid administrative leave, per standard protocol.
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Terry is currently being held at the Lorain County Jail and is facing the following charges:
- Aggravated robbery
- Carrying concealed weapons
- Resisting arrest
- Obstructing official business
McCann and Lanze both said more charges are pending.
The Elyria Police Department is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting, Lanze said.
