Mike DeWine told reporters he’s got 18 BCI agents on the case, to learn just why city police peppered a car driven by Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams on the night of November 29th. Speaking at a press event unrelated to the case, the Attorney General said while the investigation will be fast-tracked, it will also be thorough. He declined to give a specific timeline.
“We’re going to interview everybody who needs to be interviewed, we’re going to do every reconstruction that needs to be done, we’re going to do every test," said DeWine. "When I said 18 people, that does not include the people at our lab who are involved in this investigation as well.”
DeWine said he’ll also commit more agents as needed, and that the investigation will also look at police training and procedures.
Also present was Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, who repeated his previous statement that he finds the incident “problematic”, but wouldn’t elaborate further. He did reflect on last night’s emotionally-charged public forum last night on the shooting, with the city police chief in attendance.
“I can appreciate the anger, and I can also appreciate, particularly from the family members, the emotional side of what happened,” said the mayor.
While police say they believe a gun was involved, there’s been no sign yet of a firearm in Russell’s car. He and Williams sped off after a loud burst – initially thought to have been a gunshot -- was heard near the city Justice Center. Police say at the end of the 22 mile chase Russell allegedly rammed his car into a police cruiser, and 13 officers opened fire.