CLEVELAND — Cleveland police are investigating after Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police officers shot and killed a man Thursday afternoon, according to a spokesperson for the Cleveland Police Department.
According to police, the man was shot at an apartment on East 98th Street and was transported to the hospital where he later died.
The medical examiner identified the man as Demond Eskridge, 42, of Cleveland.
A CMHA officer was taken to the hospital for injuries, but is expected to be fine, officials said.
According to neighbors, Eskridge was throwing furniture from his seventh-floor balcony when police were called.
CMHA's police chief said officers entered Eskridge's unlocked apartment and were attacked by the naked man who came from his flooded bathroom.
"In the process of subduing the individual, the subject retained the officer's firearm, and in the course of the struggle going back-and-forth, there was one shot discharged at one of our officers," said CMHA Police Chief Andy Gonzalez.
Gonzalez said a sergeant attempted to use a Taser on Eskridge, but that the fight continued.
In the process, police said one of the officers had a finger bit off.
Investigators said police shot Eskridge twice. The 42-year old died at the hospital.
Gonzalez, who said he reviewed body camera video from both officers, wouldn't say Friday whether he felt the officers acted appropriately.
But an attorney with the union representing the sergeant involved in the shooting said officers had no choice after being what he called, "ambushed."
"It's unfortunate someone lost their life in this regardless of the scenario," said Adam Chaloupka with Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, "but the officers acted, from what I know, to be appropriate and justly."
Gonzalez said CMHA police had previous dealings with Eskridge, but wouldn't elaborate until the investigation into the shooting progresses.
The chief also would not name the officers involved in the shooting but described both as veteran officers.
CMHA police received body cameras two months ago.
Chief Gonzalez said he expects to release video from the shooting early next week.
