1 dead in police-involved shooting in Cleveland Heights

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) — Cleveland Heights officials called the Thursday night fatal police-involved shooting of a teen, who was armed during an apparent domestic dispute, “a tragedy.”

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office said Christian Alexander Tyson Thomas, 18, was killed in the shooting.

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Police were called to a home along Yellowstone Road just after 10 p.m. for a domestic disturbance between Thomas and his father, Police Chief Chris Britton told reporters at a Friday media briefing.

Witnesses alleged Thomas was armed and had his finger on the trigger, and that he had already fired one shot inside the home, he said.

“The scenario was nothing short of intense,” Britton said.

Officers heard Thomas’ father pleading to take his finger off the trigger and, at one point, saw Thomas in a doorway of the home, holding the gun, he said. They then heard “a loud crash, followed by a gunshot.”

Police sources told the FOX 8 I-Team earlier that Thomas then came out of the home through a screened porch window.

He was still carrying the gun, Britton said. He then encountered three Cleveland Heights officers who opened fire, striking him.

It’s still unclear how many shots were fired, Britton said.

In his review of body-worn camera footage of the incident, he said he did not see Thomas point the gun at officers before being shot, but added he has not had time to review all the footage.

Officers rendered first aid and CPR, but Thomas died at the scene, Britton said.

No one else was injured.

The shooting happened “several minutes” after officers arrived on scene, Britton said.

“My deepest condolences on behalf of myself and the police department goes out to Christian’s family and friends,” he said. “… Certainly, the outcome last night is nothing we would certainly hope for.”

The three officers involved are now on administrative leave, per department policy, Britton said. The department has also launched its own internal professional standards investigation, he said.

Investigators later recovered a handgun at one shell casing at the scene, Britton said.

They remained on the scene Friday morning as neighbors woke up to start their day.

“Around 10 o’clock, getting ready for bed and we heard like loud explosions, maybe like fireworks. It wasn’t a “pop, pop, pop’ sound, it was more like ‘kaboom,'” said neighbor Melissa Bloom. “I woke up this morning at 5:30 a.m. and saw the flashing lights.”

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The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called to the scene and spent several hours gathering evidence. Investigators placed more than 20 evidence markers at the scene.

FOX 8 News reached out to Cleveland Heights police and BCI for more information. BCI confirmed that they were requested by the Cleveland Heights Police Department to investigate the fatal officer-involved shooting, as is standard protocol.

Officials said the investigation is “active and ongoing.”

Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren on Friday said he had met with Thomas’ family. They said the Cleveland Heights High School graduate was a spelling bee champion while at Monticello Middle School, and that he played sports and instruments.

“Right now, waiting on the result of an investigation provides no solace, but I at least want people to know this is a real investigation,” he said. “This is something that will bring the truth to light and, based on that, we will move forward in an open, honest and caring way.”

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