By Ed Meyer
Beacon Journal staff writer
A Springfield Township police sergeant was shot in the hand by another officer late Monday night after they were confronted by a suspect during a domestic violence call, authorities said.
Chief David W. Hoover said the shooting occurred about 11:30 p.m. when the suspect threatened to kill Sgt. Joe Gaffney with a knife in the basement of the suspect’s home in the 2800 block of Hayne Road.
Hoover said Gaffney was shot once in the right hand. He was released from Akron General Medical Center this morning after surgery for the gunshot wound, the chief said.
The suspect, identified as Larry D. Bennett, 67, was taken to Akron General for a psychological evaluation, Hoover said.
Bennett is facing charges of attempted aggravated murder, domestic violence, resisting arrest and possibly additional charges once he is released, the chief said.
No other injuries were reported.
Hoover said Gaffney, commander of the department’s 4-to-12 night shift, and two other officers responded to the call after Bennett’s wife, 65, reported that he was threatening to kill her with a knife.
When the officers arrived at the home, the suspect had gone into the basement and had unscrewed all the light bulbs to hide his whereabouts, the chief said.
Hoover said Gaffney was the first officer to go down the basement steps with a flashlight, followed by an officer from the Lakemore Police Department, Michael Fox, and a township patrol officer, Michael Murphy.
Near the bottom of the steps, according to Hoover, Bennett made a move toward Gaffney with the knife, saying: ``I’m going to kill you.’'
Gaffney’s first reaction was to defend himself, so he fired his Taser gun at the suspect, the chief said.
Then, as Gaffney was raising his arms to push the suspect back, the Lakemore officer, Fox, fired his service weapon in an attempt to defend Gaffney from the attack, Hoover said. He said the shot struck Gaffney in the back of the hand, exited his palm and deflected off the Taser gun.
Gaffney still managed to get the suspect under control, taking him down and putting him in a bear hug, the chief said.
The sergeant was at home this morning recovering from surgery, Hoover said.
He said the suspect’s wife was outside during the confrontation and was not hurt.
Hoover said township officers had responded numerous times to the suspect’s home on domestic violence calls and other reports of mental health issues.
Akron Beacon Journal (http://www.ohio.com/)