Police name child killed, officer wounded in St. Clair shootout
The St. Clair Twp. Police have identified the child fatally shot in Wednesday's shootout as 4-year-old Rosalie Carey. In addition, police say Officer Dakota Wetzel, is listed in stable condition at a Pittsburgh hospital, according to Police Chief Brian McKenzie.
A news release issued Thursday morning says Officer Wetzel was able to open his eyes and give family members a thumbs up after surgery.
Officer Wetzel was wounded at around 2 p.m. along St. Clair Avenue where Rosalie Carey and 30-year-old Joseph Como were fatally shot.
The shootings occurred after the Community Action Agency called police about a suspected suicidal man.
Officers say they were trying to talk with Como when he opened fire. Officers returned fire, striking Como. One eyewitness told 21 News he saw Como get shot multiple times.
"Almost immediately, the man pulled a weapon and opened fire on my officers," Police Chief McKenzie said in an emotional press conference.
During the shootout, a stray bullet pierced through Dentistry for Children & Teens on St. Clair Avenue, striking Rosalie Carey the head.
St. Clair Police confirmed with 21 News a bullet also struck Officer Wetzel in the head.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), the Columbiana County Sheriff's Department, and surrounding police departments assisted on the scene.
According to court records, Como had an active warrant out of Wellsville for a domestic violence charge. Court records show the warrant was issued on December 30.
A statement from Huntington Bank said the bank immediately established safety protocols once staff was made aware of the shooting. No one inside the bank was hurt in the shooting.
21 News Reporter Sydney Canty saw approximately 24 evidence markers on the ground at the scene.
Columbiana County Sheriff Brian McLaughlin said a medical helicopter had been called for all three individuals who were shot.
“We’re trying to gather information as fast as we can so we can update the community,” St. Clair Township Police Chief Brian McKenzie said. “Right now, we need the community to pray for our officer and the child who was shot.”
The incident closed St. Clair Avenue from McGuffey Drive to SR-170. The street reopened at 7:30 Wednesday when the scene cleared.
In a video posted to the St. Clair Township Police Department's Facebook page, Chief Brian McKenzie thanked the community for its continued prayers for both the officer and the child.
The Ohio Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) has offered its sympathies to the families of the officer and child. It is accepting tax-deductible donations for the victims and their families.
You can donate by clicking here.
The identity of the 4-year-old and the St. Clair police officer had not been released as of early Thursday.