LORAIN, OH – Law enforcement officials have confirmed that a bomb found at the scene of Wednesday’s police ambush in Lorain belonged to the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Michael Parker of Lorain.
The device was safely detonated by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. Residents near Colorado Avenue and Kansas Avenue reported hearing a loud explosion that shook nearby buildings. Authorities issued a public safety notice on Facebook prior to the detonation, stating that it was a controlled explosion and there was no danger to the public.
The discovery of the bomb adds to the severity of what officials are calling one of the most violent attacks on law enforcement in recent memory in Lorain County.
Earlier in the day, three Lorain Police Department officers were shot in an ambush while parked in a dead-end industrial area on the east side of the city. The officers had reportedly stopped for a break when the suspect opened fire with a high-powered rifle.
Two officers were critically injured and were airlifted to hospitals for treatment. A third officer sustained a gunshot wound to the hand.
Michael Parker was later found deceased at the scene. Authorities have not confirmed whether he was killed by return fire or died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators have not yet released details about the bomb, including its construction, exact location, or intended target. The investigation is ongoing and involves local, state, and federal agencies.