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"The result was a protracted high-speed chase that put the public and officers in danger, the death of two unarmed people - one a totally innocent passenger - and a circular firing squad that nearly killed several of their own."Cleveland, Ohio - Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams were driving near downtown Cleveland on November 29, 2012, when Russell's car backfired. Police in the area apparently mistook the sound for gunfire and gave chase.
What took place next was a stunning car chase that involved over 60 police cruisers and lasted almost a half hour.
It's unclear exactly why Russell didn't pull over, but what is clear is that when the chase ended, Russell and Williams were
killed in a hail of gunfire after 13 officers unloaded 137 rounds into the vehicle in an elementary school parking lot.
Russell, the driver, was shot 23 times. Williams was shot 24 times while sitting in the front passenger seat. Neither one of the victims were armed, which was confirmed after no weapons were found in the bullet riddled vehicle.
Cleveland police officer Michael Brelo is charged with two counts of voluntary manslaughter, he was released on a $10,000 dollar bond. Brelo is accused of firing 49 of the 137 shots. Randolph Daley, Michael Donegan, Patricia Coleman, Jason Edens and Paul Wilson were all charged with misdemeanor dereliction of duty.
Brelo unloaded 49 shots, the last 15 as he stood on the hood of Russell's car firing through the windshield well after the chase was over and the other officers on the scene had stopped firing. The actions of Brelo that day are nothing short of sociopathic.
Of course police union officials have attempted to denigrate the murder victims by calling them criminals and labeling the incident as a "good shoot."
While the majority of the officers involved only got a
slap on the wrist, it's heartening to see that Bralo is being held accountable for his actions.
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