ELYRIA, Ohio — A man who ambushed three Lorain police officers in July acted alone and had stockpiled a large cache of weapons, Elyria Police said in a press conference.
The July 23 shooting killed Officer Phillip Wagner and wounded Officers Peter Gale and Brent Payne. The suspect, identified as Michael Parker, 28, was shot and killed by responding officers.
Elyria Police Capt. Bill Lantz, who is leading the investigation, said at a press conference on Sept. 18 that authorities are still working to determine Parker’s motive, potential targets and the scope of his plan.
“This is a two-pronged investigation,” Lantz said. “One focuses on the homicide of Officer Wagner, the other on the officer-involved shooting.”
Lantz added that Parker was “heavily armed and prepared for a violent and prolonged encounter.”
Elyria Police Chief James Walsh added, “The evidence confirms that Parker had a deliberate and evil plan to inflict mass casualties upon humanity. Thanks to the heroic actions of Lorain police officers, a far greater tragedy was averted that day.”
Timeline of Events
According to the investigation, Wagner and Gale were eating lunch in a cruiser on River Bend Drive when Parker approached and opened fire. The officers were already at the scene before Parker arrived, police said.
At about 1:03 p.m., Parker drove into the cul-de-sac and opened fire on Wagner’s cruiser, striking and incapacitating him.
Gale was hit in the hand but managed to escape and call for help.
In the minutes that followed, Parker repositioned his car, staged rifles on both sides of the vehicle, and laid out loaded magazines and equipment in preparation for responding officers.
Officer Payne was among the first to arrive. Dashcam video showed Parker firing 25 rounds at Payne and Gale’s cruisers.
“He’s got a rifle! He’s got a rifle! Get outta there!” an officer can be heard saying over the radio.
Payne attempted to retrieve his rifle but was struck in the hip and arm as he moved toward a wooded area. Despite his injuries, Payne returned fire with his service weapon and continued to relay critical radio updates until other officers reached him.
| RESOURCE: Officer down: A tactical guide to ambush prevention and response (eBook)
Minutes later, a Lorain detective team and an FBI special agent applied a tourniquet and evacuated Payne to Mercy Hospital, likely saving his life, police said.
Wagner was found in his cruiser and rushed to a hospital by fellow officers but died on July 24 from his injuries.
Five officers returned fire during the encounter, killing Parker.
Weapons Cache
Authorities recovered a significant number of weapons and ammunition from Parker’s vehicle and the scene, including:
- Seven rifles
- One shotgun
- Two handguns
- 294 loaded magazines
- Approximately 7,500 rounds of ammunition
- About 100 pounds of Tannerite, an explosive material later safely detonated by bomb technicians
Police said the amount of weaponry indicated a high potential for further violence.
Injury updates
Officer Gale underwent surgery on his hand and is expected to be out six to eight months.
Officer Payne required major surgery after his arm was “completely shattered” and is expected to face a recovery of at least a year.
Ongoing investigation
Lantz said all available evidence indicates Parker acted alone, though digital evidence and devices seized from his home are still being analyzed by the FBI Cleveland Division.
The Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office is expected to review the findings related to the officer-involved shooting.
Multiple law enforcement agencies across Ohio assisted in the investigation.
