During a Friday afternoon press conference, Cleveland police released body camera footage showing a shooting and pursuit that injured five officers.
The suspect, 24-year-old Brian Branch, now faces six felonious assault charges—one count for each injured officer and one for the initial shooting victim, according to police.
Authorities are still investigating the incident and reviewing whether officers followed department policy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC9oEND45bo
What Happened?
Five Cleveland police officers were injured following a shooting and high-speed pursuit Saturday afternoon, according to the Cleveland Division of Police.
Just after 2 p.m., officers responded to the 5200 block of Fleet Avenue after a 33-year-old man was shot multiple times. Surveillance footage from Open Pantry showed the victim entering the store before collapsing near the entrance.
“A guy was walking right here, and he dropped on the floor by the door. And he said, ‘George, I’ve been shot. I’ve been shot in my back and my arm outside.’ He came with his friend, and I called 911 for him to help him,” Open Pantry owner George Abounader said.
Abounader said the injured man is a regular customer.
“He comes over here all the time. He’s a good kid. He’s a regular customer,” he said. “It’s usually quiet right here. I mean, nothing much going on.”
Additional surveillance footage showed EMS crews arriving shortly afterward. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
While investigating the shooting, officers noticed a vehicle repeatedly circling the area. Police identified the driver as 24-year-old Brian Branch, whom they believe was involved in the shooting.
The situation escalated when Branch allegedly opened fire near the scene. Investigators said he fired multiple shots at officers before fleeing.
One officer suffered injuries from what police described as shrapnel-related bullet impacts that struck a police vehicle.
With help from the Real Time Crime Center, officers later located Branch’s vehicle near Track Road and Martin Avenue.
Police said Branch sped away and again fired at officers, striking the windshield of a patrol cruiser. A second officer sustained injuries consistent with either a bullet graze or shrapnel wound.
According to police, one officer returned fire through the windshield after coming under attack. When asked whether that action complied with department policy, Chief Annie Todd said the matter remains under review.
“When you have who is turned…and facing you and you are right in the line of fire, I’m not going to judge that officer’s actions and say they’re not appropriate, but that will be part of the investigations,” Todd said.
The pursuit continued until Branch crashed into a church building on Chagrin Boulevard, police said.
Authorities said Branch then attempted to flee on foot. Dash camera footage showed a K-9 officer’s vehicle striking him before officers took him into custody.
Asked whether the pursuit complied with department policy, Todd pointed to the danger officers faced during the incident.
“He’s trying to kill our officers and that’s what I see it as,” Todd said. “And our officers are heroic when they take these actions and they continue to pursue this violent felon.”
Both officers injured by gunfire-related incidents were transported to a hospital. One remains in stable condition, while the other was treated and released.
Police also reported that three officers were involved in separate crashes during the pursuit.
One patrol vehicle struck a tree, while another crashed near East 75th Street and Kinsman Road. Two officers were taken to the hospital and are listed in stable condition.
A third officer involved in the East 75th Street crash declined EMS transport and drove to a hospital for evaluation.
Branch was also taken to a hospital for evaluation and is expected to be released before being transferred to the Cuyahoga County Jail. Police said charges remain pending.
The Cleveland Police Force Investigation Team and the Cleveland Police Accident Investigation Unit are conducting separate investigations into the incident.
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