It came out today that the shooter has his CCW.
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/15135654.htm
The anti-gun folks are going to be all over this one. It's unfortunate that alcohol was involved although it has not come out yet if the shooter had anything to drink. It also came out that the off-duty cop has received a 90 day suspension and domestic violence problems in the past.
New Franklin is near Akron, OH
mp3 recording of the 911 call.
http://www.ohiomm.com/MP3/news/911_calls/Carlson911.mp3
*******************
NEW FRANKLIN - An off-duty Akron police detective was fatally shot by his brother-in-law at a family gathering Wednesday night after the detective apparently ignited the violence by hitting his wife and attempting to choke her, according to tape recordings of the 911 calls.
The 911 calls were made to the New Franklin Police Department shortly before 9:30 p.m. by the detective's sister, Jenny Carlson, who initially told the dispatcher: ``My brother is very drunk and hitting his wife.''
Shouting was heard in the background, and after a minute or so, according to the tape, Carlson told the dispatcher: ``Someone needs to come and get him because he is too drunk.''
She then informed the dispatcher that her brother had his wife ``in a headlock'' and that she apparently was having trouble breathing.
Moments later, other voices were heard on the tape as the violence escalated.
Then the crack of several gunshots could be heard, and the dispatcher was disconnected seconds later.
The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office identified the off-duty detective as Michael S. Beitko, 41, of Cliffside Drive in Akron.
Beitko was treated at the scene by a person at the family gathering and taken to Akron General Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:07 p.m., New Franklin detective Sgt. Michael Korach said today.
Korach said Beitko was hit by ``multiple gunshots'' from a ``large-caliber'' revolver, but declined to further identify the weapon.
The victim's brother-in-law, Jacob A. Carlson, 32, of 87 Clement Ave., New Franklin, was being held in the Summit County Jail on a murder charge, Korach said.
At Carlson's initial court appearance this afternoon, Barberton Municipal Judge Greg Macko set a $250,000 cash bond. Carlson didn't enter any plea. Another hearing was set for 1 p.m. Wednesday.
According to the tape of the 911 call, the shooting occurred just seconds after Jacob Carlson apparently shouted a warning to Beitko, saying: ``Let go of her... or I'll kill you!''
It was not clear on the tape -- at that point -- who had been in the man's grasp.
Korach said alcohol was involved at the Clement Avenue gathering and that Beitko was unarmed when he was shot outside in the driveway of the neatly kept family home.
``Alcohol appeared to be a factor for all parties involved,'' the detective said.
The 911 call by Jenny Carlson, Korach said, was to report a domestic violence incident. The incident escalated in a ``rather short time,'' Korach said. He declined to comment about any additional details of the incident.
Akron police said Beitko had been with the department for 14 years and became a detective in 2001.
He leaves his wife, Sue, and four daughters, ages 2 to 8.
Korach said six children were at the family gathering, but no injuries were reported.
An autopsy will be conducted today.
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/15135654.htm
The anti-gun folks are going to be all over this one. It's unfortunate that alcohol was involved although it has not come out yet if the shooter had anything to drink. It also came out that the off-duty cop has received a 90 day suspension and domestic violence problems in the past.
New Franklin is near Akron, OH
mp3 recording of the 911 call.
http://www.ohiomm.com/MP3/news/911_calls/Carlson911.mp3
*******************
NEW FRANKLIN - An off-duty Akron police detective was fatally shot by his brother-in-law at a family gathering Wednesday night after the detective apparently ignited the violence by hitting his wife and attempting to choke her, according to tape recordings of the 911 calls.
The 911 calls were made to the New Franklin Police Department shortly before 9:30 p.m. by the detective's sister, Jenny Carlson, who initially told the dispatcher: ``My brother is very drunk and hitting his wife.''
Shouting was heard in the background, and after a minute or so, according to the tape, Carlson told the dispatcher: ``Someone needs to come and get him because he is too drunk.''
She then informed the dispatcher that her brother had his wife ``in a headlock'' and that she apparently was having trouble breathing.
Moments later, other voices were heard on the tape as the violence escalated.
Then the crack of several gunshots could be heard, and the dispatcher was disconnected seconds later.
The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office identified the off-duty detective as Michael S. Beitko, 41, of Cliffside Drive in Akron.
Beitko was treated at the scene by a person at the family gathering and taken to Akron General Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:07 p.m., New Franklin detective Sgt. Michael Korach said today.
Korach said Beitko was hit by ``multiple gunshots'' from a ``large-caliber'' revolver, but declined to further identify the weapon.
The victim's brother-in-law, Jacob A. Carlson, 32, of 87 Clement Ave., New Franklin, was being held in the Summit County Jail on a murder charge, Korach said.
At Carlson's initial court appearance this afternoon, Barberton Municipal Judge Greg Macko set a $250,000 cash bond. Carlson didn't enter any plea. Another hearing was set for 1 p.m. Wednesday.
According to the tape of the 911 call, the shooting occurred just seconds after Jacob Carlson apparently shouted a warning to Beitko, saying: ``Let go of her... or I'll kill you!''
It was not clear on the tape -- at that point -- who had been in the man's grasp.
Korach said alcohol was involved at the Clement Avenue gathering and that Beitko was unarmed when he was shot outside in the driveway of the neatly kept family home.
``Alcohol appeared to be a factor for all parties involved,'' the detective said.
The 911 call by Jenny Carlson, Korach said, was to report a domestic violence incident. The incident escalated in a ``rather short time,'' Korach said. He declined to comment about any additional details of the incident.
Akron police said Beitko had been with the department for 14 years and became a detective in 2001.
He leaves his wife, Sue, and four daughters, ages 2 to 8.
Korach said six children were at the family gathering, but no injuries were reported.
An autopsy will be conducted today.
