Lorain police receiving threats, harassment calls after deadly ambush: I-Team

Fox 8 News ^ | 7/29/2025

[EBH]

LORAIN, Ohio (WJW) – The Lorain County sheriff confirmed to the FOX 8 I-Team that detectives are investigating harassing phone calls and threatening messages aimed at police following last week’s gunfire that left an officer dead, two officers hurt and a suspect dead.

Just hours after the shootings, one man called 911 again and again asking questions and taunting.

“I could also show up to your front door,” the man told the dispatcher. “I don’t carry a gun. I’m not a — like you.”

Public memorial set for slain Lorain police officer Phillip Wagner Wednesday in Cleveland One dispatcher told the man, if he calls again, he could face charges for “abuse” of an emergency line.

Another person commented on a news story about the shootings by writing a direct threat that more officers could be shot.

[I want the USA back]

Hating cops is hating this country and all it stands for.

[albie]

I’m not familiar with the story was the suspect you know what?

[radmanptn]

I found a news report with a little more info. He was a white guy, lived with his parents. About a year or so ago he was involved in an accident between him and a motorcycle. He was issued a citation for crossing the center line. A subsequent civil suit was settled out of court. One of the officers shot had issued him the citation.

[Resolute Conservative]

“I could also show up to your front door,” the man told the dispatcher.

Basement warrior, all hat and no cattle.

[lightman]

This zhit all began with the 2009 Øbama “Beer Summit”.

[pierrem15]

Strange case involving the shooter, but the fact multiple caller are threatening the police suggests a non-trivial number of people in Lorain are not happy about the way the town's PD operates, to put it mildly.

Probably a lot of taxation by citation.

[EBH]

New details released on man who killed Lorain police officer
https://youtu.be/AqftDOy2S7M?si=EiAOTDE-urV1lsQQ

The Lorain County Coroner’s Office has identified the suspect involved in the ambush shooting that resulted in the death of a Lorain police officer and wounded two others on Wednesday.

The suspect — Michael Parker, 28, of Lorain — was pronounced dead at the scene after the shooting. According to the Elyria Police Department, officers returned fire during the exchange, which ultimately resulted in Parker sustaining a fatal injury.

“This incident has deeply impacted all of us in law enforcement. Our hearts are with the officers who were injured, their families, and the entire Lorain Police Department during this incredibly difficult time. We want to extend our sincere gratitude to all of the agencies that responded swiftly and selflessly during this critical incident. The coordinated efforts of our regional law enforcement partners—including tactical teams, bomb technicians, patrol units, and investigators—were instrumental in ensuring public safety, securing the scene, and advancing this complex investigation. In moments of crisis, it’s the strength of our partnerships that carries us through,” said Elyria Police Chief James Welsh, whose department is investigating the shooting.

On Thursday, Lorain police announced that Officer Phillip Wagner died as a result of the shooting.

SHOOTING DETAILS
The shooting unfolded just after 1 p.m. Wednesday on River Bend Drive, a dead-end street off Colorado Avenue.

According to Acting Lorain Police Chief Michael Failing, officers Phillip Wagner and Peter Gale were having lunch in their patrol vehicles when the suspect, positioned nearby with “an arsenal of weapons,” opened fire.

The two officers most seriously injured — Wagner and Brent Payne — were Life Flighted to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. The third officer, Gale, was wounded in the hand and treated at Mercy Health - Lorain Hospital.

“This was a deliberate and planned ambush,” said Welsh during a briefing after the shooting. “The suspect used a high-powered rifle against our officers.”