Latest news with #MiddletownPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man killed in Middletown police shooting identified
May 28—Investigators Wednesday continued their investigation into a Middletown police officer-involved shooting that killed a man and injured a woman Tuesday morning at a home on Garden Avenue. Michael Anthony Baker Jr., 47, of Middletown was the man killed by police, according the Butler County Coroner's Office. The police officers involved in the shooting have not been identified by the Middletown Police Department, citing Marsy's Law. They have been placed on paid administrative leave. The incident occurred around 7:20 a.m. during the execution of a search warrant by police officers during a drug investigation. No officers were injured in the shooting in the 900 block of Garden Avenue, according to investigators, and the investigation has been turned over to Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Daniel Hils of Frontline Advisors, which represents the Middletown Fraternal Order of Police, said officers made "numerous" announcements on who they were before breaching the door. Baker came to the door and allegedly pointed a handgun at the police officers when he was shot, according to Hils. "Being involved in something like this is not in anybody's plan, and nobody wants to face that type of life and death situation," Hils said. There were other search warrants that were happening in and out of Middletown and more may be coming, Hils said. A woman in the house was injured from bullet shrapnel to her ankle, according to Hils. She was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Garden Avenue was blocked off by police tape between Woodside Boulevard and Pine Street for more than 10 hours on Tuesday. Spencer Kidd, a neighbor, told the Journal-News he heard three gunshots after observing officers conducting the search warrant. "I was hoping nobody was hurt, but that's obviously not the case now," Kidd said. BCI will complete an independent review of the circumstances, according to Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser. The investigation will then be transferred to Gmoser, who will present evidence to the Butler County Grand Jury. "I applaud Chief Nelson for getting BCI involved," Gmoser said. This is an ongoing investigation, and more details are to come, including the name of injured woman and body cam footage, which will not be released until the case has been presented to Grand Jury. This is the third police-involved shooting in Middletown since February 2023. A Butler County grand jury declined to issue any criminal charges against a Middletown police officer who fatally shot a man who opened an apartment door holding a gun on Christmas Eve 2024 at Olde Towne Apartment complex. Christopher Gorak, 50, died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Butler County Coroner's Office. Investigation of the incident indicates Gorak was also "heavily intoxicated," according to the county prosecutor's office. "(The grand jury) determined that no indictment alleging criminal conduct against any involved officer should be issued and that the death of Christopher Gorak was justified," Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said. In April 2023, Middletown police responded to the same apartment complex when they were shot at by a suspect. They returned fire and hit the suspect, wounding the man. Kyle Kellum recovered, was indicted for felonious assault involving a police officer, but found to be not guilty by reason of insanity following a bench trial in common pleas court. In February 2023, Middletown police shot and killed a man who pointed a weapon at them in the parking lot of the Walmart on Towne Boulevard. No charges were filed against the two Middletown officers in the deadly shooting. The officers' use of deadly force in the Feb. 25 shooting of 47-year-old Victor Lykins was deemed reasonable by the Warren County Prosecutor's Office, Prosecutor David Fornshell announced after reviewing investigation results. In Morrow County on Monday, a sheriff's deputy, Daniel Weston Sherrer, 31, was shot and killed after responding to a domestic situation call, according to Morrow County Sheriffs Office in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. "Our county is a closely-tied community which has always supported its law enforcement agencies and that backing is evident during this time of grief," a statement read. The subject was also shot and was transported to a hospital in serious condition. The incident remains an active investigation.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man killed in Middletown police shooting identified
May 28—Investigators Wednesday continued their investigation into a Middletown police officer-involved shooting that killed a man and injured a woman Tuesday morning at a home on Garden Avenue. Michael Anthony Baker Jr., 47, of Middletown was the man killed by police, according the Butler County Coroner's Office. The police officers involved in the shooting have not been identified by the Middletown Police Department, citing Marsy's Law. They have been placed on paid administrative leave. The incident occurred around 7:20 a.m. during the execution of a search warrant by police officers during a drug investigation. No officers were injured in the shooting in the 900 block of Garden Avenue, according to investigators, and the investigation has been turned over to Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Daniel Hils of Frontline Advisors, which represents the Middletown Fraternal Order of Police, said officers made "numerous" announcements on who they were before breaching the door. Baker came to the door and allegedly pointed a handgun at the police officers when he was shot, according to Hils. "Being involved in something like this is not in anybody's plan, and nobody wants to face that type of life and death situation," Hils said. There were other search warrants that were happening in and out of Middletown and more may be coming, Hils said. A woman in the house was injured from bullet shrapnel to her ankle, according to Hils. She was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Garden Avenue was blocked off by police tape between Woodside Boulevard and Pine Street for more than 10 hours on Tuesday. Spencer Kidd, a neighbor, told the Journal-News he heard three gunshots after observing officers conducting the search warrant. "I was hoping nobody was hurt, but that's obviously not the case now," Kidd said. BCI will complete an independent review of the circumstances, according to Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser. The investigation will then be transferred to Gmoser, who will present evidence to the Butler County Grand Jury. "I applaud Chief Nelson for getting BCI involved," Gmoser said. This is an ongoing investigation, and more details are to come, including the name of injured woman and body cam footage, which will not be released until the case has been presented to Grand Jury. This is the third police-involved shooting in Middletown since February 2023. A Butler County grand jury declined to issue any criminal charges against a Middletown police officer who fatally shot a man who opened an apartment door holding a gun on Christmas Eve 2024 at Olde Towne Apartment complex. Christopher Gorak, 50, died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Butler County Coroner's Office. Investigation of the incident indicates Gorak was also "heavily intoxicated," according to the county prosecutor's office. "(The grand jury) determined that no indictment alleging criminal conduct against any involved officer should be issued and that the death of Christopher Gorak was justified," Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said. In April 2023, Middletown police responded to the same apartment complex when they were shot at by a suspect. They returned fire and hit the suspect, wounding the man. Kyle Kellum recovered, was indicted for felonious assault involving a police officer, but found to be not guilty by reason of insanity following a bench trial in common pleas court. In February 2023, Middletown police shot and killed a man who pointed a weapon at them in the parking lot of the Walmart on Towne Boulevard. No charges were filed against the two Middletown officers in the deadly shooting. The officers' use of deadly force in the Feb. 25 shooting of 47-year-old Victor Lykins was deemed reasonable by the Warren County Prosecutor's Office, Prosecutor David Fornshell announced after reviewing investigation results. In Morrow County on Monday, a sheriff's deputy, Daniel Weston Sherrer, 31, was shot and killed after responding to a domestic situation call, according to Morrow County Sheriffs Office in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. "Our county is a closely-tied community which has always supported its law enforcement agencies and that backing is evident during this time of grief," a statement read. The subject was also shot and was transported to a hospital in serious condition. The incident remains an active investigation.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man fatally struck by car while crossing the street in Middletown
A man is dead after being struck by a car in Middletown on Tuesday night while crossing the street. Police officers responded to Washington Street in the area of High Street at 9:48 p.m. on the report of a motor vehicle versus pedestrian collision, according to Erik Costa, chief of the Middletown Police Department. Costa said police found a man on the road suffering serious injuries and a gray Toyota Camry with front-end damage. Crews with the Middletown Fire Department and Hunters Ambulance also responded. According to Costa, the pedestrian died despite being rushed to Middlesex Hospital. He has not been identified. The driver of the Camry suffered minor injuries and was also taken to the hospital. A preliminary investigation showed that the Camry was being driven west on Washington Street in the right lane when it struck the man as he was walking south and crossing the street at the High Street crosswalk, according to Costa. This collision is being investigated by the police department's Traffic Division. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer E. Sanford at 860-638-4061.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Better Business Bureau, local police department warns of new ‘bait-and-switch' scams
The Better Business Bureau is warning Facebook users of a new 'bait-and-switch' scam going around. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers are posting photos of injured animals, missing children, or lost older adults to grab people's attention and get them to share the post with their friends. TRENDING STORIES: Death of 3-year-old boy burned by hot water ruled an accident Cause of death revealed for Gene Hackman, wife A South Carolina man executed by firing squad is the first US prisoner killed this way in 15 years After the post is shared, the scammers change the original post to a deceptive rental ad, sales pitch, or link to a survey that 'guarantees' a cash prize. These 'bait-and-switch' ads will then convince the user to make a deposit for the rental property or get the personal information. The Middletown Police Department shared a post saying that photos of their officers were used in these scams. The department said the easiest way to determine if these post's are fake is if their comments have been turned off. You can also do a reverse google image search to see how many times the photo was used in a post. 'These particular posts spread like wildfire, we ask that you report them as you see them. Thank you and be aware!!' the Middletown Police Department said in their post. Officer Ballinger and Officer "Beasley" are fine and not missing but their photos, unfortunately, were posted as part of... Posted by Middletown Division of Police on Thursday, March 6, 2025 [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
