Officers were in a shootout with a man wanted for murder
By David Custer
Monday, August 10, 2009 at 2:08 p.m.
Read more: Local, Breaking, Crime, Police, Officer, Shoot, Out, Shootout, Shoot out, Standoff, Stand, Off, Stand Off, Shot, Kill, Dead, Tyrone, Devon, Woods, Eric, Board, Tpd, Bullet, Chamber, Blank, Empty, Gun, Nbc24, Nbc 24, Toledo, Oh, Ohio
TOLEDO, OH -- An empty chamber in a loaded gun saved the life of a Toledo police officer.
This, after a man wanted for murder took police on a high-speed chase and an intense shoot-out.
"Officer Board came very close to losing his life last night, that's fair to say," said Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre.
Navarre says Sunday night's shoot-out at Dorr and Westwood could have been a lot worse.
Four officers walked away from the incident unharmed: Eric Board, Diana Trevino, Charles Leroux and Lieutenant Mark Collins. The suspect, 21-year-old Devon Tyrone Woods, was not so lucky.
A three mile high-speed pursuit initially triggered from a disturbance call at Southgate Circle ended when Woods' vehicle hit one car, causing it to hit another.
When Officer Eric Board approached the suspect vehicle, police say, Board's life almost ended at point blank.
"(The suspect) pointed it at the officer, pulled the trigger, the gun did not fire, and the reason it did not fire because apparently he didn't have a round in that chamber," said Navarre.
Officer Board hit the ground and the three other officers began firing.
Police say Woods fired two rounds and took off running.
The shootout ensued and Woods fired off one more round while falling to the ground.
In all, 34 rounds were fired from police -- and three are believed to come from Woods.
Woods was shot five times, he died from his wounds.
"Officers are trained to fire and continue firing until the job is complete," said Navarre.
Devon Tyrone Woods' Past
In studying the suspect, police discovered that Woods had a dangerous secret.
"We also learned last night that he has a warrant for his arrest for the crime of murder," said Navarre.
Not only was Woods wanted for murder, but police say the 21-year-old's rap sheet was extensive.
They say he had committed several armed robberies in the Detroit area and NBC24 discovered that he had just been let out of prison in February of this year after serving two years on a felony weapons conviction out of Wayne County.
You can view Woods' criminal past for yourself by clicking here.
All four officers involved the shootout are on paid administrative leave.
Navarre says this will help them cope with the trauma and emotional stress of being involved in such a violent incident.
