CLEVELAND, OH – An incident unfolded in Garfield Heights on Tuesday afternoon when police officers fatally shot Benard Russell, 67, during a wellness check.
Russell had initially called police, requesting the suicide hotline but disconnected the call abruptly.
Police tracked the call to a residence on the 6200 block of Hathaway Road, where Russell’s wife informed them he was in the basement.
Officers found Russell sitting on a couch with a firearm, threatening suicide. Despite efforts to de-escalate the situation, Russell pointed his gun at the officers, prompting them to discharge their weapons.
Russell was transported to Marymount Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The two officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave. This incident is currently under investigation.