Officers shot man after he charges at them with wrench, Cleveland police say

CLEVELAND - A man was shot by Cleveland officers when he charged at police with a wrench Tuesday night.

The incident happened at West 97th Street and Lorain Avenue at 7:30 p.m. after the man called police.

According to Sgt. Sammy Morris, the man was rambling to police dispatch about a family member being an officer in another city. 

During the conversation, the man told police when officers responded, they better shoot him.

When police arrived, the man was sitting on a porch. He had his hands under his jacket and was holding a wrench, Morris said.

Officers asked him to stand up, he refused several times and charged at officers. Police shot him twice somewhere below the hips.

"After talking with several neighbors, they said the male had been terrorizing the street all night, acting as though he had a weapon," Morris said.

Neighbors said they heard several shots fired.

“It was quick. It was as soon as the police officer crossing the street. Just six shots," a neighbor told NewsChannel5.

Morris said the man, whose name and age have not been released, was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center.

As of early Wednesday morning, police said the man was still alive.

"We don't know why he called. Hopefully we'll find out during the investigation," Morris said.