On Tuesday, June 18 around 9:02 p.m., Wadsworth police officers responded to 223 Durling Drive in response to a report of a man armed with a handgun and threatening to take his life in his backyard.
According to a news release from Wadsworth PD, shortly after they arrived, officers reported gunshots had been fired.
“After making contact with the subject, two of our officers discharged their weapons. WPD officers and Wadsworth EMS attempted life saving measures, but unfortunately the subject was pronounced dead at the scene,” chief Dan Chafin said.
The name of the 54-year-old man who died is being withheld until all family members have been notified.
It is the Wadsworth Police Department’s policy to have the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation conduct the investigation of any officer-involved shooting incident.
Commentary on social media that this incident was related to the Blue Tip parade or festival, or that there was a potential threat to the festival is false. None of these claims are accurate and at no time was there any threat to the Blue Tip festivities.
The involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, pursuant to best practices and policy.
