GUILTY OH - Officers Anthony Morelli & Eric Joering, fatally shot, Westerville, 10 Feb 2018

[K_Z]

2 police officers shot and killed in Westerville, Ohio

WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Two police officers were fatally shot in Ohio on Saturday afternoon, authorities said. The shooting suspect was wounded in the incident and taken to a nearby hospital.

One officer was killed during the shooting and another died in surgery at Ohio State University Medical Center, a Westerville Police Department spokesperson told CBS News.

The shooting took place around 11:30 a.m. Saturday on Crosswind Drive. Officers were responding to a 911 call at the address, and were fired upon when they arrived at the scene.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/westerville-ohio-police-shooting-officers-killed-columbus-live-updates/

Two Ohio police officers killed while responding to call; suspect in custody, reports say

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/1...g-to-call-suspect-in-custody-reports-say.html

2 officers killed in line of duty near Columbus

WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Two police officers were shot and killed in the line of duty Saturday north of Columbus.

The shootings happened at about 1 p.m. in Westerville, Ohio. A suspect is in custody.

https://www.wcpo.com/news/crime/officer-killed-in-line-of-duty-near-columbus

Westerville Police say two officers killed Saturday; suspect injured

http://nbc4i.com/2018/02/10/westerville-police-say-officer-shot-saturday/

**There is supposed to be a press conference at 3:30 local.

 

[yurena]

This is so sad. Two men who chose a profession which is all about helping and protecting others and they had to die this way. Cop killers are such disgusting human beings they do not even deserve the air they breathe.

 

[K_Z]

Link to live stream of the press conference, about to begin.

http://fox8.com/on-air/live-streaming-sc/

 

[callyn]

Police chief is breaking my heart.

 

[Tillicum]

Audio of scanner in the video. RIP Officers :rose:

"These were two of the best we have," the chief said as he paused to wipe away tears. "This was their calling, and they did it right. They knew how to do policing the right way, both of them. As I said, both gave their life in protection of others and that's what they lived and breathed."

He described the two slain officers as "pillars in our department" who were always willing to help out. The officers "literally dedicated their life," Morbitzer said, adding that they would be missed.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/1...e-true-american-heroes-police-chief-says.html

 

[southernmimi]

Aren't we just so very tired of those who kill LE and harm children...

 

[MIKAYOYO]

Incredibly sad. May they Rest In Peace and their family and loved ones find comfort. So tired of all the killings.

 

[LadyL]

RIP officers.

 

[OkieGranny]

http://thecourier.com/local-news/2018/02/11/suspect-idd-in-westerville-police-murders/

Police did not identify the suspect at a news conference, but confirmed late Saturday that he was 30-year-old Quentin Lamar Smith. They released incident reports showing police had been to his home or had dealings with him several times since 2017, some for alleged domestic violence involving a woman identified in the reports as his wife, Candace Smith.

 

[Gardenista]

5 police officers have been murdered in the last 6 days. Sickening

 

[TeaTime]

When I was a kid, if you shot a police officer, you didn't make it to the jail alive.

Just saying. Maybe the old ways were better.

 

[K_Z]

Westerville home where two officers killed had history of police calls

When Officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli arrived at 312 Crosswind Drive a bit after noon Saturday, they were hardly the first police officers to recently visit the Westerville home.

The address had a history of domestic violence calls, police records show.

In each instance of calls to police from the Crosswind Drive address about disturbances, Smith was at the heart of the matter, records show.

Westerville Police had been called as recently as three weeks ago for a reported disturbance. The home's residents, however, told police at the time there was nothing wrong.

On Nov. 29, the same woman came to the police station to ask about the process for getting a protection order.

She indicated to officers she had to pick up her child and would be back, but before she could return, officers were called to her home.

During her conversation with officers, the woman said her husband carried a weapon with him "all of the time" despite being a convicted felon. Records show she was referring to Smith.

She said a friend of Smith's purchased the weapon for him.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/ne...rs-killed-had-history-police-calls/326814002/

Records: Westerville shooting suspect Quentin Smith illegally possessed gun

Smith’s criminal history is concentrated in his home county of Cuyahoga, near Cleveland.

Records show Smith lived in a suburb of Cleveland and was arrested in 2007 and charged with felonious assault, however, that case was later dismissed.

In 2008, Smith was charged with aggravated burglary and felonious assault. He ultimately pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and domestic violence.

Smith had also been charged on at least two other occasions with domestic violence, however, both of those cases were dismissed, according to records.

Smith and his wife also filed for bankruptcy in 2017, listing more than $100,000 in debts. In the filing, a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber handgun is listed as being owned by the couple.

Police have not said what type of gun was used in the fatal shooting.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/ne...ntin-smith-illegally-possessed-gun/327254002/

BBM.

There has been a *curious* lack of interest in the part of media on posting this suspect's mug shot, or elaborating on his injuries-- how badly is he hurt, when he might be discharged from the hospital. But I suspect that his picture will be posted later today-- media can't avoid that much longer. He's in the Cuyahoga County database for his previous arrests and felonies, so even if he hasn't had a new mug shot, his previous mug shots are available. Ohio has the death penalty-- if this vile murderer lives to trial, I hope he is sentenced to death. He deserves it, IMO.

There is supposed to be a memorial vigil for the slain officers today at 2:30 at a local high school.

http://nbc4i.com/2018/02/11/community-gathering-vigil-planned-as-westerville-mourns-fallen-officers/

http://abc6onyourside.com/news/loca...esterville-shooting-kills-two-police-officers

Suspect Quentin Lamar Smith, 30, was also shot during the encounter but has thus far survived the attack and is being treated at OSU’s Wexner Medical Center, according to police.

A pair of memorial vigils are planned Sunday: one at 2:30 p.m. at Westerville North High School, and the other for 6:00 p.m. at Heritage Church in Maxtown Road. A third vigil is in the works for Tuesday.

Police did not reveal much information on the suspect late Saturday. ABC 6/FOX 28 learned from court records and public records that Quentin Lamar Smith had been living at 312 Crosswinds Drive with his estranged wife. The two had filed divorce proceedings beginning in 2016.

Court records showed Smith with a criminal history, including indictments for violent crimes like burglary, domestic violence and felony assault when he lived near Cleveland about a decade ago. Smith had pleaded guilty to the burglary and domestic violence charges, and spent some time in jail during his court proceedings.

Westerville Police are expected to release more information during a 9:00 a.m. news conference on Sunday morning.

 

[K_Z]

'Please help. My husband shot the police': Two Ohio officers killed after 911 hang-up call

Shortly after noon Saturday, police dispatched officers to an apartment complex after receiving a 911 call from someone who hung up, authorities said.

“As they went into the apartment, they were immediately met with gunfire and both officers were shot,” an emotional Westerville Police Chief Joe Morbitzer said at a news conference.

Immediate details about the incident were scant, though Morbitzer described it as a “potential domestic situation.” In the initial 911 call, a woman can be heard crying before the call disconnects, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Second 911 call:

The newspaper also obtained tape from a subsequent 911 call the woman made.

“Please help, please help, please help,” the woman can be heard frantically telling a dispatcher. “My husband shot — he shot the police officers. Please hurry up. My daughter is in there.”

The woman then added that she was hiding in the bushes in the front yard.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...fter-911-hang-up-call/?utm_term=.e84395cffaf2

 

[Gardenista]

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/ne...rs-killed-had-history-police-calls/326814002/

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/ne...ntin-smith-illegally-possessed-gun/327254002/

BBM.

There has been a *curious* lack of interest in the part of media on posting this suspect's mug shot, or elaborating on his injuries-- how badly is he hurt, when he might be discharged from the hospital. But I suspect that his picture will be posted later today-- media can't avoid that much longer. He's in the Cuyahoga County database for his previous arrests and felonies, so even if he hasn't had a new mug shot, his previous mug shots are available. Ohio has the death penalty-- if this vile murderer lives to trial, I hope he is sentenced to death. He deserves it, IMO.

There is supposed to be a memorial vigil for the slain officers today at 2:30 at a local high school.

http://nbc4i.com/2018/02/11/community-gathering-vigil-planned-as-westerville-mourns-fallen-officers/

http://abc6onyourside.com/news/loca...esterville-shooting-kills-two-police-officers

There's a photo of him on FB from Everpedia. I'm beyond disgusted with the MSMs coordinated effort to assist Kim's propaganda efforts during the Olympics, so add this to my disgust list

 

[K_Z]

I actually think it's astonishing that the woman and her child made it thru this situation alive. From all the police calls to the house in the past 12-16 weeks or so, this could have ended up with him killing her and their daughter. She had inquired about a restraining order on him going back to November. Sounds like she was trying to leave him, but he threatened to kill her and the child.

Sadly, the whole pattern of this situation is rather typical of toxic domestic violence killers.

And now 2 of the best police officers are dead, and their families are destroyed forever. The ripples of death never end.

I don't know whether to hope the perp lives so we can prosecute him, or hope he dies so the families are spared the trial process, and we don't have to pay for his trial, incarceration, and appeals.

 

[K_Z]

The wife of a 30-year-old man suspected of slaying two Ohio cops called 911 pleading for someone to help her young daughter as she hid outside in the bushes.

“Please help me, help me. He shot the police officers,” she cried out hysterically, according to dispatch audio obtained by the Columbus Dispatch.

She told the dispatcher that her husband, Quentin Smith, was responsible for killing a pair of veteran Westerville Police Department officers as they responded to a 911 hang-up call Saturday afternoon.

“He shot them when they came into the house,” the woman said after being asked if she had seen the officers.

The dispatcher tried to keep the caller calm when she realized that she could no longer hear her 1-year-old daughter crying.

“I just wanna see my daughter,” she said through breathless tears.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...oting-suspect-called-bushes-article-1.3813660

The daughter is only a year old.

Unspeakably terrifying-- she managed to get out alive and call 911, but couldn't get her baby out. Imagine having to make that decision-- try to get your baby and get out, and possibly get you both killed, versus getting out yourself and calling for help, knowing you left your child behind, who he threatened to kill.

Audio of the 911 calls: (one online source has a paywall: these do not)

https://www.cincinnati.com/videos/news/2018/02/10/audio-911-call-westerville-residence/110309576/

Another source:

https://omny.fm/shows/dispatch-on-demand-audio/westerville-911-call-from-scene-of-officer-involve

 

[debloree]

https://www.10tv.com/article/man-ac...lle-police-officers-charged-aggravated-murder

His picture is in here. I believe he is at OSU Hospital still.

Also they said on the local news he had previous arrests in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

 

[K_Z]

https://www.10tv.com/article/man-ac...lle-police-officers-charged-aggravated-murder

His picture is in here. I believe he is at OSU Hospital still.

Also they said on the local news he had previous arrests in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

I guess they're playing "hide the double murder suspect":

Quentin Smith's status and location remain unclear. Officials at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center first said he wasn't a patient, then said he was at nearby Mount Carmel Saint Ann's. Saint Ann's referred reporters back to OSU.

As of Sunday afternoon, Quentin Smith was not booked in the Franklin County Correction Center.

Obviously, no one wants any violence or protests at a hospital, so the ruse has to be continued until either QS dies, or is well enough to be discharged and booked into jail. If he's not booked and arraigned in the next 2-3 days, I think that would be tacit confirmation that he's badly injured. The prosecutor slipped a bit in his words here, and seems to indicate he's badly injured:

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said he would pursue the death penalty for Quentin Smith if he survives his injuries.

“It would be a death penalty case,” he said.

I think if it was a "sure thing" that QS was going to survive, the prosecutor would have used terms like "when he's sufficiently recovered", not "if". And it "will be" a death penalty case, not "would be". That's what I'm reading between the lines. If QS has a severe brain injury, for example, even if he lives, it's likely charges won't be pursued.

The baby was found on a sofa:

Police radio traffic indicated officers found the child on a couch while holding Quentin Smith at gunpoint.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crim...ect-illegally-had-gun-records-show/ar-BBJ0vt6

QS was likely already shot at that point, IMO. There are no reports of shots fired when additional officers arrived, and the third officer was already doing CPR on his colleague after dragging him out/ off the porch.

Thankfully the child is unhurt. I'm sad she'll have to have this as part of her childhood history. Hopefully her mother will be able to rebuild their lives into something better now that QS is out of their lives pretty much permanently.

And the most sobering fact-- 7 officers killed in February alone, in the first 10 days. It really is open season on police officers, IMO.

Saturday's shooting of Joering and Morelli marked the third and fourth deaths by gunfire of law enforcement officers this week and the seventh so far in February, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, which tracks such deaths.

BBM

https://www.odmp.org/

 

[K_Z]

The Latest: Agent says tips, social media led to gun arrest

A federal agent says tips from the community, social media posts and a gun trace led to the arrest of a man accused of providing the weapon used to kill two Ohio police officers.

Ronald Herndon is the assistant Special Agent in Charge for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Columbus. He said Monday that the agency pursued the information following Saturday's fatal shooting of the Westerville police department officers.

The information led to the arrest of Gerald Lawson. He is accused of selling a gun last summer to Quentin Smith, who has been charged with shooting the two officers.

The 30-year-old Lawson made a brief appearance in federal court Monday where he was not required to enter a plea. A bond hearing is set for Wednesday.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/12/latest-more-than-270000-raised-for-slain-officers.html

A Northeast Ohio man is facing a federal charge for allegedly purchasing a gun for the convicted felon charged with killing two Westerville police officers.

Gerald A. Lawson III, 30, of Warrensville Heights, is accused of purchasing a Glock .40-caliber, semi-automatic handgun for Quentin L. Smith, 30, of Westerville. Smith was convicted of burglary in 2009 and prohibited from having a gun.

Smith used that gun to fatally shoot Westerville officers Anthony Morelli and Eric Joering on Saturday afternoon, officials said. They were responding to a disconnected 911 call.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/ne...d-killing-two-westerville-officers/329723002/

** For those unfamiliar, a .40 caliber bullet is huge, and inflicts massive damage. The officers were shot at very close range by my estimate-- probably less than 10 feet. An average Glock .40 cal costs about $600-700 new.

The penalty for a "straw purchase" can be $250K fine and 10 years in prison. Bet Gerald Lawson regrets buying that Glock for Quentin Smith now, eh?

http://www.dontlie.org/straw_purchasing.cfm

Second man arrested in fatal shooting of 2 Ohio police officers

WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- A man was charged Monday with providing the gun used to kill two Ohio police officers, as the officers' bodies were escorted in a procession to funeral homes in the suburban community they served. Community tips, social media posts and a gun trace led authorities to Gerald A. Lawson III, 30, said Ronald Herndon, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF).

As a felon convicted previously of burglary, the shooting suspect, Quentin Smith, was prevented from having a weapon. According to a criminal complaint filed in Monday, Smith gave Lawson the money to buy the gun along with $100 for completing the transaction. Firearm trace results indicate the Glock firearm was purchased by Lawson in Broadview Heights, reports CBS affiliate WBNS.

BBM

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wester...on-second-man-arrested-fatal-police-shooting/

And Quentin Smith was formally charged yesterday-- that info just released today:

Smith was formally charged in Franklin County Municipal Court with two counts of aggravated murder on Sunday.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/ne...ntin-smith-illegally-possessed-gun/327254002/



His driver's license photo was released in this article, which likely means he was not able to have a booking photo done yet. But since they charged him, they must be somewhat certain he will live.

 

[JerseyGirl]

The death penalty case of a man accused of murdering two Westerville police officers could be the first in Ohio to allow jurors to hear victim-impact statements if they reach the point of recommending a life or death sentence.

Attorneys for Quentin L. Smith, 32, had filed a motion asking that such statements be prohibited.

Jury selection in Smith’s trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 11.

Victims could have voice in death penalty trial of accused killer of Westerville officers