Youngstown cop on leave after firing at suspect with gun

YOUNGSTOWN

A city police officer fired a shot at a man who pointed a gun at him Wednesday morning.

The man who pointed the gun was not hit by gunfire and surrendered a short time later after being coaxed out of a house on Park Hill Avenue on the South Side. The officer is on paid administrative leave, as is standard in situations when an officer fires his weapon at a person.

Police identified the man as Willie Bright, 31, who was arrested and taken to the Mahoning County jail.

Investigators would not identify the officer who was placed on leave.

Lt. John Kelty said officers were called to Bright’s 1126 Park Hill Ave. home at about 8:20 a.m. by Bright, who hung up before saying what was wrong. Two cruisers were dispatched for what was termed an “unknown trouble” call, Kelty said.

When officers arrived, Bright was sitting on the porch steps and told the officers he had “big problems.” When he was asked if he had any weapons he said no, but when he stood up he pulled a large revolver out of his waistband and pointed it at the officers, one of whom fired four rounds at Bright but missed.

Read more about the confrontation in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.