Man shoots at officer after firing shots in South Toledo

3/26/2012
BLADE STAFF

A Toledo police sergeant was shot at multiple times early Monday morning as he chased an armed suspect who had already shot at another man outside a South Toledo bar.

Sgt. Paul Armola was on patrol at about 1:13 a.m. Monday when he reportedly saw people running and heard shots fired from outside the Mirage bar, 950 Buckingham St. When the sergeant pulled into the driveway, the suspect, who has not been identified, ran between cars, firing at the officer.

The suspect fled on foot, dropping his gun and losing one shoe.

During the investigation Monday morning, Timothy McCollum, 23, of Toledo, told police he and the suspect were fighting inside the bar when the victim was punched in the mouth, according to a police report.

The suspect reportedly pulled out a gun and chased the victim into the parking lot where he began firing.

The victim, who identified himself as a North Toledo gang member affiliated with the Stickney 33 gang told police he doesn’t know the suspect, but said the suspect belongs to the south side gang, the Folk.

No one was injured during the shooting, but three vehicles were damaged and bullets struck 944 Buckingham, according to a police report.