Ohio man cleared as suspect in officer’s shooting considers suing

Associated Press

COSHOCTON, Ohio

An Ohio man says being wrongly identified as a suspect in a police officer’s shooting has caused his family turmoil and he plans on suing the police department.

A statewide alert issued last week had named Chaz Gillilan, of Coshocton, as a suspect in an alleged traffic-stop shooting in Newcomerstown, about 100 miles south of Cleveland. Newcomerstown police officer Bryan Eubanks, 37, originally claimed that individuals stopped in a black Chevrolet Geo Tracker shot him April 11.

The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office says Eubanks made up the story to cover up an attempted suicide.

Gillilan was in a holding cell for two hours before police let him go.

Gillilan told WCMH-TV he has a lengthy criminal record, but he says he would never shoot a police officer. He says people still treat him as if he were guilty, and his own mother second-guessed his innocence.

“She’s like, ‘Why would they pick you out of everyone?’” Gillilan said.

Gillilan said he is now considering moving his family out of town.

“The whole world knows where I live,” Gillilan said.