OFFICER DOWN: Toledo Officer Shot One Time in Standoff Dies
Toledo, OH – Chief George Kral with the Toledo Police Department said that one of his officers was shot and killed Monday evening in a standoff.
Officer Brandon Stalker was struck one time during the incident which began around 3:30pm Monday evening in the 2300 block of Fulton Street. Officers noticed a suspect at that location and believed he was wanted in connection to a cathedral being vandalized earlier in the day.
After police made contact with the suspect, he pulled out a firearm and went into a nearby house. SWAT and a negotiator were called to the scene. They negotiated with the man for several hours, and eventually used gas in the house.
In honor of Officer Stalker's life and service, I have ordered that all U.S. and Ohio flags be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds in Lucas County and at the @OhioStatehouse, Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower in Columbus until sunset on the day of his funeral. pic.twitter.com/xuOTXw7nYJ
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) January 19, 2021
The suspect came out with two firearms and started shooting at officers. He hit Officer Stalker, who was on the perimeter at the scene. He was rushed to the hospital but died from his injuries.
Officer Stalker was 24 years old and had been with the department since July of 2018. He leaves behind a fiance and young child.
At a press conference, Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said, “This is a very dark and hurtful day for the city of Toledo. It comes at a time when the Toledo Police Department has had to endure too many dark and terrible days in the past six months.”
The suspect was also shot during the encounter, but his injuries and condition are unknown at this time.
