Here are the facts, in case you missed this story. On November 29, 2012, police officers standing outside police headquarters in Cleveland Ohio mistook the sound of a beat up Chevy Malibu backfiring for a gunshot. Believe it or not, 62 police cruisers and 100 police officers gave chase as the vehicle sped away. A 22 mile chase through downtown ended in an elementary school parking lot in East Cleveland. Ultimately, a total of 137 shots were fired and 2 unarmed people in the vehicle were killed. 24 bullets pierced Timothy Russell's body and his companion Malissa Williams received 23 bullets.
No one knew why the car did not stop. The occupants were mentally ill and addicted to drugs.
After the investigation was completed 13 officers were notified that they faced administrative discipline. The department took action resulting in one officer retiring, six officers being fired, and six officers face suspensions of 21 to 30 days. Patrolman Michael Brelo, formerly acquitted of manslaughter charges in May, is among those who were fired. He fired the last 15 shots of the deadly barrage in this incident. He stood on the vehicle's hood and fired inside repeatedly after the car had stopped and the occupants were no longer a threat. It should be noted that Brelo fired 49 times, more than double that of any other officer involved.
Cleveland police union official Steve Loomis says the incident was tragic, but did not warrant the firings. After an hour long summation of his conclusions, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John P. O'Donnell acquitted patrolman Brelo of the charges.
Relatives of the victims were awarded a $3 million dollar settlement after filing a lawsuit.
These are just the cold hard facts.
