CINCINNATI -- Several investigations are underway after police shot and wounded a man wielding a knife in a Madisonville park Thursday morning.
“I do know that there were several witnesses to the incident. They will be interviewed," Police Chief Eliot Isaac said in a news briefing at Bramble Park around noon. "The officers as well as the witnesses will be interviewed shortly at our Criminal Investigation Section.”
At least one police officer shot a suspect who was “acting erratically and armed with a knife," Isaac said.
After two officers responded to the park about 10:20 a.m., they “came into close contact” with the suspect in the parking lot, Isaac said. The chief wouldn't say if both officers fired their weapons. He did say the suspect was shot multiple times.
The suspect underwent surgery at University of Cincinnati Medical Center, but police have not disclosed his condition. The officers were not injured.
Police have not released the names of the officers or the suspect. They said they recovered a knife at the scene.
WATCH Isaac's briefing in the player below.
The investigation will include reviewing the officers' body camera video. Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said his office will review the video next week.
"We will review the body camera tape on Monday to determine if it was a legitimate use of force. If there is no evidence of a crime, we will release the body camera video on Monday,” Deters said.
We can see CPD officer talking to a group of people inside the park. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/a3dXQbrm3I
— Josh Bazan (@JoshBazan) July 4, 2019
Police are conducting an internal investigation. The criminal complaint authority will also conduct an independent, parallel investigation.
At the time Isaac spoke to the media he cautioned that the information they had was "very preliminary."
"Keep that in mind. We’re still here at the scene. There’s a lot of work to be done," Isaac said. "We’re in the very, very early stages of this. We’ll examine any video footage available, the officers’ body cameras.”
FOP President Dan Hils told WCPO the union lawyer would be present when the officers were interviewed about what happened.
"It’s a life-changing event. It’s traumatizing. It’s very, very difficult," said Hils. "But, when our officers use deadly force, it’s because they’re faced with a deadly threat.”
