LORAIN, Ohio — Just after midnight on Oct. 7, a Lorain police officer shot and injured 26-year-old Dustin Terry, who had allegedly broken into a vehicle and then attempted to flee from police. Today, Lorain police released bodycam footage and explained the officer's 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 told dispatchers she believed the individual had a gun.
“He’s by the car, he’s looking around. I’m pretty sure he’s armed,” the caller said.
Lorain police officer Isaiah Taylor was the first to arrive on the 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.
During Thursday's press conference, McCann shared numerous bodycam videos from the incident showing what led up to and followed the shooting.
McCann said that the woman attempted to mislead officers by telling them she saw someone breaking into cars a few houses down.
“Did you see anyone over by this white car?” an officer can be heard asking the woman on body-worn camera footage.
She responded, “No, but they were walking over there by that silver car.”
Officers noticed the caller's trunk was open, and then they saw Terry walking out from behind the house.
“Put your hands above your head,” Officer Taylor yelled toward the suspect. “It’s the police department.”
Taylor threatened to shock the man with a Taser if he did not comply. When Terry began moving away and not following the officer's directions, the Taser was deployed, but it was not effective in stopping him.
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 can be seen running with the gun still in his hand and turning toward one of the officers. Taylor then fired five shots at the suspect.
“They were going to meet in the middle, pretty much, in a bad situation," McCann said of the officers running around a home after Terry. "Officer Taylor, I think he realized that, and took action in time before it got even worse.”
First aid was administered to Terry, who suffered four gunshot wounds to the trunk of his body and his arm, according to Elyria Police Captain Bill Lantz.
The Elyria Police Department is handling an independent investigation to avoid a conflict of interest.
Terry was transported to a nearby hospital. Lantz said the suspect has since been released from the hospital and is now in custody at the Lorain County Jail.
Per standard protocol, Taylor was not injured and was placed on paid administrative leave. Two other officers were also placed on administrative leave. All have since returned to work.
RELATED: Man who allegedly broke into several Lorain cars shot by police
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 explained Terry was known to police for past drugs, theft and weapons offenses. He shared a 2023 report in which Lorain Police pulled Terry over for a traffic violation, and officers saw him reach for a handgun with an extended magazine.
Terry was also wanted on an active warrant for failure to appear for a hearing in Lorain Municipal Court.
He had completed a probation sentence five minutes before he was accused of breaking into the car on West 17th Street.
McCann and Lantz both said more charges are pending.
Lantz said the Lorain County Prosecutor's Office will review the investigation and determine what happens next.
