Parker, a Lorain resident, was pronounced dead at the scene after the shooting.
LORAIN, Ohio — The Lorain County Coroner’s Office has identified the suspect involved in the ambush shooting that resulted in the death of a Lorain police officer and wounded two others on Wednesday.
The suspect — Michael Parker, 28, of Lorain — was pronounced dead at the scene after the shooting. According to the Elyria Police Department, officers returned fire during the exchange, which ultimately resulted in Parker sustaining a fatal injury.
“This incident has deeply impacted all of us in law enforcement. Our hearts are with the officers who were injured, their families, and the entire Lorain Police Department during this incredibly difficult time. We want to extend our sincere gratitude to all of the agencies that responded swiftly and selflessly during this critical incident. The coordinated efforts of our regional law enforcement partners—including tactical teams, bomb technicians, patrol units, and investigators—were instrumental in ensuring public safety, securing the scene, and advancing this complex investigation. In moments of crisis, it’s the strength of our partnerships that carries us through,” said Elyria Police Chief James Welsh, whose department is investigating the shooting.
On Thursday, Lorain police announced that Officer Phillip Wagner died as a result of the shooting.
SHOOTING DETAILS
The shooting unfolded just after 1 p.m. Wednesday on River Bend Drive, a dead-end street off Colorado Avenue.
According to Acting Lorain Police Chief Michael Failing, officers Phillip Wagner and Peter Gale were having lunch in their patrol vehicles when the suspect, positioned nearby with “an arsenal of weapons,” opened fire.
The two officers most seriously injured — Wagner and Brent Payne — were Life Flighted to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. The third officer, Gale, was wounded in the hand and treated at Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital.
“This was a deliberate and planned ambush,” said Welsh during a briefing after the shooting. “The suspect used a high-powered rifle against our officers.”
Investigators say Parker’s vehicle was found near the dead end of River Bend Drive with several high-powered rifles, handguns, and numerous loaded magazines both inside and nearby.
As officers worked to secure the scene, they noticed suspicious bags that prompted concerns about potential explosive devices.
The Lorain County Bomb Squad was called to the scene, where technicians discovered a large amount of improvised explosive materials inside the vehicle. The items were safely removed and later destroyed in a controlled detonation at a separate location.
In addition, BCI investigators noted that “Parker fired significant number of rounds during the course of the encounter.”
On Wednesday evening, the Lorain County SWAT Team executed a search warrant at Parker’s home in the 1500 block of North Lakeview Blvd. in Lorain. No explosive threats were detected and Elyria police detectives took charge of collecting evidence.
Lorain County voter records show Parker lived in the home with his parents. A neighbor tells 3News that the family kept to themselves.
Elyria police say investigators “continue to develop evidence to determine information that may shed light on Parker’s motives for the shooting.”
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Lieutenant Tom Wade at 440-326-1362 or via email at wade@cityofelyria.org.
PARKER’S BACKGROUND
Looking deeper into Michael Parker’s past, 3News obtained a civil complaint filed against him in Lorain County Common Pleas Court for an incident that occurred in October of 2022.
The complaint alleged Parker negligently operated a vehicle while driving for the delivery company, Instacart, traveling left of center and “causing a collision” with a motorcycle. The civil case was ultimately settled out of court.
However, Parker was cited for a misdemeanor offense by Lorain police for driving left of center in connection to the incident. Court records reveal Wagner was the police officer who issued the citation.
COMMUNITY REACTION
Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley spoke at MetroHealth on Wednesday following the shooting.
“We love our Lorain police officers. I consider them the best police officers in the state of Ohio, and we have support not only in the city of Lorain, but also the state of Ohio,” he said.
Bradley said he received a call from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, giving his “100% support” and offering whatever help he could provide to the Lorain Police Department. Bradley added that the office of U.S. Sen. Jon Husted had also sent a message pledging to give whatever help or assistance they could provide.
“It’s a tragic day in the city of Lorain,” the mayor added. “But we’re a strong city and we’re going to move forward.”
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