3 police officers shot in Ohio, 2 in critical condition; suspect dead

Three police officers were shot in northern Ohio, leaving two of them in critical condition and the suspected gunman dead, according to local officials.

According to WOIO, the shooting happened Wednesday afternoon near the intersection of Missouri and Colorado avenues in Lorain, a city along Lake Erie west of Cleveland.

Lorain officers were on patrol when they encountered a vehicle parked at the end of the road and were immediately fired upon by a man with a high-powered rifle, Elyria Police Chief J. Welsh said during a press briefing.

Welsh said the officers returned fire and the gunman was killed. “It was a random encounter with the suspect,” he said. “I can confirm that upon their arrival they were shot by this gunman in an ambush-type situation.”

Three officers were injured in the shooting. Welsh said one officer was seriously hurt, but did not confirm the condition of the other two, adding that all were still being evaluated. Officials earlier told local media that at least two officers were in critical condition.

The suspect was described as a 28-year-old white male with a last known address in Lorain. His identity has been confirmed but is not being released at this time. Authorities believe he acted alone. No motive has been established.