Michael Parker, 28, has been identified as the gunman who ambushed and shot three police officers in Lorain, Ohio, on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Lorain County Coroner’s Office. Parker died during the confrontation, though the exact cause of death is still pending an autopsy. Authorities are working to determine whether he died from police return fire or a self-inflicted wound.
The shocking attack, believed to have been premeditated, unfolded in an isolated industrial area of Lorain, a city located west of Cleveland near Lake Erie. Officers Phillip Wagner, 35; Peter Gale, 51; and Brent Payne, 47, were shot during the incident. Wagner and Gale were reportedly on a break, eating pizza on a dead-end street, when Parker launched the assault with a high-powered rifle. Payne, responding to a distress call, was also shot upon arrival.
Two of the officers sustained critical injuries and were airlifted to a nearby trauma center, while the third suffered a hand wound. Officials say Parker acted alone, and no other suspects are being sought at this time.
Investigators executed a thorough search of Parker’s residence, located in a quiet lakeside neighborhood, spending more than five hours combing through the home. During the search, authorities broke an upstairs window and deployed a drone inside. A significant cache of weapons was discovered, reinforcing the belief that Parker had planned the attack in advance.
Neighbors described Parker as a withdrawn and unsettling presence. Jody Burnsworth, a longtime neighbor, said she had lived next to the Parker family since 2012 and often felt uneasy around Michael. “He was always by himself, walking his dog. I never saw him speak to anyone,” she said. Burnsworth recalled that Parker had briefly worked for the post office but left shortly after being hired, citing difficulty with the job. She described him as intensely focused, socially isolated, and struggling to maintain a routine.
During the raid, heavily armed law enforcement officers arrived in tactical gear, carefully securing the scene before entering Parker’s home. No further incidents occurred during the search.
Authorities continue to investigate Parker’s background and motives, including whether he had any previous interactions with law enforcement. The attack has sparked renewed concern over officer safety, especially during routine and vulnerable moments like meal breaks.
As the Lorain community grapples with the aftermath, support for the injured officers remains a top priority. Officials hope ongoing investigations will shed light on what drove Parker to carry out this violent act—and help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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