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Lakewood Times

Lakewood Times

Lakewood Times

    Two Officers Killed After 911 Hang Up

    Two Officers Killed After 911 Hang Up

    On February 10th, two police officers in Westerville were killed while responding to a potential domestic violence call.

    Westerville Police Officer Eric Joering, 39, and Anthony Morell, 54, were shot while they entered an apartment in Westerville, Division of Police Chief Joe Morbitzer said. Westerville is a northern suburb of Columbus.

    The suspect, Quentin Lamar Smith, was hospitalized and taken in to custody, police spokeswoman Christa Dicky said. On Sunday February 11th he was charged with two counts of aggravated murder.

    The wife of the suspect Candace Smith had called the police that night. Police records say that they had gotten previous calls for her about domestic abuse.

    The call got disconnected twice before she really even got to say anything all the police heard were sobs. Candace Smith tells the operator she is hiding in the bush outside of their apartment and is in fear because there one year old daughter is in there with him.

    “Please help, please help , please help” she cries. “My husband.. he shot the police officers.”Please hurry”

    Police were brought to the apartment twice before Saturday. On September 14, 2014, she called and said ” he’s drunk and doing something to my car.” Then again  on November, 29, 2017, as she inquire about protection orders.

    “Both officers gave there lives in the protection of others,” said Morbitzer said through tears. “Those are true American heroes.”

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