Bullet proof vest saves officer from serious injury

NEWTON TOWNSHIP — Officer Tom Colosimo was shot in the chest while on patrol this afternoon, but was uninjured because he was wearing a bullet-proof vest.

Gunfire was exchanged on Miller Graber Road between Colosimo and an unknown suspect, who Trumbull County Sheriff Tom Altiere said police are still looking for.

Colosimo called 911 just before the shooting to let dispatchers know he was investigating suspicious activity around a cell phone tower. A few minutes later, he radioed in to say that he’d been shot, Altiere said.

The Trumbull County Sheriff’s Department is heading up the investigation, and Altiere said he plans to apprehend the suspect.

“It’s early and we’re just looking into it, but I am sure we’re going to find out what happened and who did it,” he said.

“We’re going back tomorrow to the exact location to see if we can scan that area and find any evidence there.”

Colosimo was taken to St. Joseph’s Health Center and has since been released.