Euclid, Ohio, Police Officer Shoots: Suspect Dead After Standoff, Authorities Say

CNN
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A suspect was found dead in northeast Ohio on Sunday after a manhunt and an hours-long standoff with law enforcement after a police officer was fatally shot in an ambush the night before, authorities say.

The suspect, identified by the Euclid Police Department as 24-year-old Deshawn Anthony Vaughn, was found dead at a residence in Shaker Heights, Ohio, U.S. Marshals spokesman Peter J. Elliott said during a news conference Sunday evening . Shaker Heights is about 9 miles south of the city of Euclid, where the officer was killed.

“The manhunt is over now,” Elliott said. The suspect, who was believed to be “highly armed,” fled on foot to Shaker Heights after Saturday’s ambush, authorities said.

Officials did not confirm the manner of Vaughn’s death during Sunday’s news conference.

Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin, 23, was shot and killed Saturday when officers responded to a disturbance call at a home in Euclid — about 12 miles north of Cleveland — just before 10 p.m., Euclid police said in a news release.

“The complainant stated that the father of her child threatened to harm her and her mother,” Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer said during Sunday’s press conference.

According to Meyer, the woman told responding officers that the suspect was on foot and may have been nearby.

“Officers went to check the backyard and were ambushed by gunfire from the suspect,” Meyer said.

Derbin was shot and taken to the hospital but died from his injuries, authorities said. No other officers were injured.

“His kind heart and huge smile were contagious,” Meyer said emotionally about Derbin. “The world was a better place with him and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”

Derbin, who was engaged and planned to get married in July, was sworn into the department last July. According to Meyer, his father is also a Euclid police officer.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on Sunday to honor Derbin’s life and service.

According to an announcement from DeWine, the United States and Ohio State flags will remain in that position until sunset on the day of Derbin’s funeral.

“The Euclid Police Department asks that you keep the fallen officer, his family, loved ones and our agency in your thoughts and prayers,” a police statement said.

CNN’s Michelle Watson, Leah Thomeer and Ashley R. Williams contributed to this report.