TOLEDO, Ohio (WXYZ) — A Toledo police officer was shot and killed while on the scene of a barricaded gunman situation on Monday afternoon.
Police say officers from the Toledo Police Gang Task Force spotted the suspect who was wanted for arson and vandalism of the Rosary Cathedral earlier in the day.
Officers tried to stop the suspect, but he pulled out a gun and fled into the house, where a barricaded gunman situation was established.
The officer who was shot and killed was stationed on the perimeter of the scene to keep residents out of the scene.
Around 6:22 p.m., the suspect came from the house with a gun in both hands and fired shots in multiple directions. One of the shots hit the 24-year-year-old Officer Brandon Stalker in the head. He was rushed to the hospital where he died from his injuries.
“The entire Toledo Police family is in shock. Another hero has paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting the residents of Toledo. Our hearts are heavy tonight,” said Toledo Police Chief George Kral.
The suspect, 27-year-old Christopher Harris, was shot by police on scene and taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries.
Stalker joined the Toledo Police Department in July 2018 and was classmates with Officer Anthony Dia, who was killed in the line of duty on July 4, 2020.
He is the 32nd Toledo Police Officer to be killed in the line of duty.
